Violence strikes New Mexico: Three dead, 15 injured in car show shooting

New Mexico: Three teenagers were killed and 15 others injured in a mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, during an unsanctioned car show on Friday night, police said.

Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story told reporters Saturday that the gunfire erupted around 10 p.m. local time after an altercation between two groups escalated. Two 19-year-olds and a 16-year-old were killed, though their names have not yet been released.

“This is a sad day for our community,” Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said. “I want to ask the community to gather together, to stand strong and united.”

According to the Gun Violence Archive, the incident marks the 53rd mass shooting in the United States so far this year.

Fire Chief Michael Daniels said seven of the injured were transferred to hospitals in El Paso for advanced care. Four others have been treated and released. The condition of the remaining four is unclear.

Those injured range in age from 16 to 36, according to a police statement posted on Facebook. Police recovered handgun-calibre casings from the scene and are pursuing multiple leads. No arrests have been made.

Young Park has had a history of crime, and police have taken steps to limit activity there by locking it at night, Chief Story said. “But we are still struggling with that.”

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her horror at the incident, saying she was “heartbroken and horrified,” and promised to mobilise state resources to support the investigation. She noted violent crime in Las Cruces has risen 46% from last year.

In an Instagram post, Las Cruces City Councillor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo called the shooting “a heinous act of violence that will leave our city mourning.”

Las Cruces is located near the US-Mexico border, about 41 miles north of El Paso, Texas.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.