At least three people were killed and 14 others injured in a mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Friday night. Police responded to reports of gunfire at around 10 p.m. and found multiple victims. The injured were taken to local hospitals, with some transported to the University Medical Center in El Paso, the regional trauma centre.
Authorities are urging bystanders to share videos or any information that could help identify the suspect or suspects. The Las Cruces Police Department, assisted by state and federal agencies, remains at the scene as the investigation continues.
Las Cruces City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo described the tragedy as a “nightmare just waiting to come true at any moment” in an Instagram post.
“Part of me wanted to write that this is something you never really think this is going to happen in your city, but that actually feels deeply untrue, Honestly now days a tragedy like this feels like a nightmare just waiting to come true at any possible moment, yet also always praying and hoping it never will,” Bencomo wrote.
The Las Cruces Police Department, along with state and federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are investigating the incident. Officers remained at the scene on Saturday as they worked to identify the suspect or suspects. The area around the park was temporarily closed to traffic.
The park, known for its music and recreation events, remains closed to traffic. Police have asked anyone with information to come forward as they work to determine what led to the attack.
