Suspects Facing Serious Charges Linked To Deadly Shooting

Suspects in a New Mexico mass shooting that left three dead and fifteen injured will remain detained until trial as a judge cited community safety and retaliation risks in denying bond.

Key Insights

Three teenagers and a 20-year-old face first-degree murder charges after a shooting at an unauthorized car show in Las Cruces, New Mexico killed three people and injured 15 others.
Judge Grace B. Duran denied bond for the teen suspects, citing them as threats to community safety and potential targets of retaliation.
The other suspect was also reportedly ordered to remain in custody.
Police found 50-60 handgun casings at the scene, suggesting multiple shooters were involved in the violence that erupted after an argument.
Local law enforcement was understaffed at the time of the incident and is now receiving assistance from the FBI, ATF, and state agencies.

Deadly Violence at Unauthorized Car Show

A mass shooting at an unauthorized car show in Young Park, Las Cruces, New Mexico has resulted in three fatalities and fifteen injuries. The victims were identified as Andrew Madrid, 16, Jason Gomez, 18, and Dominick Estrada, 19. According to authorities, the violence erupted around 10 p.m. on Friday, March 21 when approximately 200 people had gathered for the event. Evidence indicates the shooting began following an argument, with investigators discovering between 50-60 handgun casings at the scene, pointing to multiple shooters and weapons being involved in the deadly incident.

Three teenagers – Gustavo Dominguez, Nathan Giovani Rivas, and Josiah Ontiveros – have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the shooting. A fourth suspect, Tomas Rivas, 20, was also arrested and is facing murder charges. Court evidence suggests Dominguez was the primary shooter, while Nathan Rivas was identified as both a shooter and allegedly a known weapon trafficker. The violence has deeply shaken the Las Cruces community, which is now demanding justice for the victims and their families.

Arrests made in shooting at New Mexico park that killed 3 teens, hurt 15 others https://t.co/tXcVW3cDyo

— KSNB Local4 (@KSNBLocal4) March 24, 2025

Judge Denies Bond for Teen Suspects

In a decisive ruling that underscores the gravity of the crime, New Mexico Judge Grace B. Duran ordered the teenage suspects to remain in detention until trial. The judge’s decision came after considering both the safety of the community and the potential for retaliatory violence against the suspects themselves. Tomas Rivas was also reportedly ordered to remain in custody. Court documents reveal that threats have already been made against the accused teenagers and their families since the shooting, heightening concerns about possible violence if they were released.

The Doña Ana County District Attorney’s office is pursuing first-degree murder charges against the suspects and may add conspiracy charges as the investigation progresses.

Law Enforcement Response and Community Support

The investigation into the mass shooting has highlighted issues with local police staffing. Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story acknowledged that there were “no units available for most of the night” when the unauthorized car show was taking place. The Las Cruces Police Department is now receiving assistance from multiple agencies, including the FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office.

Support services have been established at the Las Cruces Convention Center for victims and their families. These services include crisis counseling, spiritual counseling, and assistance connecting victims with local resources and financial aid. Meanwhile, US Representative Gabe Vasquez has called for improved public security measures and better support for the car enthusiast community, describing the scene at Young Park as “a chaotic event, a lawless event” where people faced multiple dangers beyond just gunfire.