LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with the mass shooting that took place at Young Park on Friday night, March 21, 2025. On Saturday evening, Las Cruces police arrested Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo, 20, and Adrian Rivas-Hidalgo, 17, for their alleged roles in the shooting. Both suspects have been charged with three open counts of murder, with additional charges expected as the investigation continues. Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo has been booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond. The juvenile suspect, Adrian Rivas-Hidalgo, has been remanded to a juvenile detention facility pending further legal proceedings.
Police have confirmed the identities of the three individuals who lost their lives in the shooting: Andrew Madrid, 16; Jason Gomez, 18; and Dominick Estrada, 19. Madrid and Gomez were pronounced dead at the scene, while Estrada was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. In addition to the fatalities, 15 other individuals sustained injuries, ranging in age from 16 to 36 years old. Among the injured, nine are male and six are female. To protect their privacy, law enforcement officials have not released their names.
Las Cruces police have officially cleared Gabriel Rickman of any involvement in the shooting. Authorities interviewed Rickman and determined that he has no connection to the incident. Police also addressed misinformation circulating on social media, particularly an image depicting a teenager holding what appears to be an AR-style rifle. A forensic examination of the crime scene determined that all 50 to 60 shell casings recovered were from handguns, with no ballistic evidence linking an AR-style rifle to the shooting. At a Saturday morning press conference, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story confirmed that forensic investigators did not find shell casings from a rifle at the scene. He also reiterated that the individual seen in the viral image was interviewed by police and is not a suspect in the case.
Law enforcement officials continue to follow multiple leads, with assistance from federal and state agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), New Mexico State Police, Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Attorney’s Office. The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. at Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St., Las Cruces. Police and emergency responders arrived to find multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds in the park’s parking lot and surrounding areas. Several of the injured were transported to local hospitals, while seven victims were later transferred to medical facilities in El Paso, Texas for specialized treatment. Their current medical conditions have not been disclosed.
As of Saturday evening, Young Park remains closed while police continue processing evidence. Nearby roads are also restricted to traffic as the investigation progresses. Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to come forward by contacting Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795. The tragic loss of life and injuries sustained in this incident have left the Las Cruces community in shock and mourning. As the investigation continues, authorities are working diligently to bring justice to the victims and their families.
