Las Cruces community members mourn after deadly shooting at Young Park
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – As the community mourns the deadly mass shooting at a Las Cruces park Friday night, witnesses who were there are speaking out on what they saw. Shock, confusion, and grief for the community are just some of the reactions that have been expressed.
Witnesses, family grapple with aftermath of Las Cruces shooting
'Everyone was just sitting around watching the cars go, me and my girlfriend were laughing at the cars that couldn't get burnouts correctly,' said one shooting witness.
What started as an unsanctioned car show at Young Park in Las Cruces took a devastating turn. 'I saw in the background two people arguing and a guy flashed a gun and the guy with the rifle we knew we had to leave,' said Izriann Prieto, car show attendee.
'One minute it was pure cars, the next was pure gunshots, and afterwards, you just hear people screaming and crying just a bunch of chaos everywhere,' said another witness.
Three people were killed and fifteen injured as shots rang out Friday night. So far, four people have been arrested in connection to the shooting including 20-year-old Tomas Rivas, two 17-year-old, and a 15-year-old. The Doña Ana County District Attorney told KRQE News 13 on Monday that those juveniles and anyone else found responsible could be charged as adults.
'{They) are going to be charged with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of conspiracy, and again there could be other charges that are forthcoming depending on the accumulation of evidence,' said DA Fernando Macias.
As many of those involved were former and current Las Cruces Public Schools students, the school district said the first day back from Spring Break on Monday looked a lot different from when they left. 'They are coming back without friends, without their colleagues and so we wanted to make sure that there were enough mental health professionals in our schools to assist those that are navigating some very difficult feelings,' said communications director, Kelly Jameson.
As juvenile crime spreads throughout the state, the DA has a message for the youth in his community. 'Now is really the best time to reconsider any kind of involvement any kind of gang involvement any utilization of weapons it's basically going to change or end lives,' said Macias.
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