“People were seen running as the shooting broke out.” KFOX – El Paso, TX
LAS CRUCES, NM – Three people were killed and 15 others wounded in a mass shooting Friday night at a public park in Las Cruces, according to the Las Cruces Police Department. Officials described the attack as a violent escalation between two rival groups.
According to a story in the Las Cruces Sun News, Police Chief Jeremy Story said officers responded at 10:10 p.m. to reports of an altercation that led to gunfire. “This is a huge crime scene with lots of moving parts,” Story said during a Saturday morning news conference. Authorities recovered between 40 and 60 bullet casings at the scene, all from handguns. No rifle casings were found, indicating no assault-style weapons were used.
Investigators identified the deceased as two 19-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy. Seven of the wounded were treated at the scene, while others were transported to hospitals, including the University Medical Center of El Paso. The full extent of their injuries was not immediately available.
Mayor Eric Enriquez expressed condolences, urging the community to “stand strong, come together, and help us heal.” Officials are asking anyone with video footage of the shooting to come forward.
The park, which has been a known hotspot for crime, remained closed Saturday as authorities continued their investigation. No arrests had been announced as of Saturday morning.