Jury convicts shooter in Las Cruces Young Park mass killing

Tomas Rivas found guilty on all three counts of first-degree murder

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A Las Cruces jury has found Tomas Rivas guilty of three counts of first-degree murder for his role in a mass shooting at Young Park in March 2025 that left three people dead and 15 others injured. Rivas was the first of four suspects to face trial, with the other three scheduled over the next three months.

Why it matters

The Young Park mass shooting was one of the deadliest acts of violence in Las Cruces' history, sparking outrage and grief in the community. This conviction is an important step in holding the perpetrators accountable and providing some closure for the victims' families.

The details

Tomas Rivas was found guilty on all three counts of first-degree murder for his role in the March 21, 2025 shooting at an unsanctioned car meet in Young Park. Three people were killed and 15 others were injured in the attack. Rivas is the first of four suspects to face trial, with his brother Nathan's trial scheduled for February 19 and the other two trials set for March and April.

  • The Young Park mass shooting occurred on March 21, 2025.
  • Tomas Rivas' trial was held in February 2026.
  • Nathan Rivas' trial is scheduled for February 19, 2026.
  • Gustavo Dominguez's trial is scheduled for March 4, 2026.
  • Josiah Ontiveros' trial is scheduled for April 1, 2026.

The players

Tomas Rivas

One of four suspects charged in the Young Park mass shooting, Tomas Rivas was found guilty on all three counts of first-degree murder.

Nathan Rivas

Tomas Rivas' brother, Nathan Rivas is scheduled to go on trial for his alleged role in the Young Park mass shooting on February 19, 2026.

Gustavo Dominguez

One of the four suspects in the Young Park mass shooting, Gustavo Dominguez's trial is scheduled for March 4, 2026.

Josiah Ontiveros

One of the four suspects in the Young Park mass shooting, Josiah Ontiveros' trial is scheduled for April 1, 2026.

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What’s next

No sentencing date has been set for Tomas Rivas yet. The other three suspects are scheduled to go on trial over the next three months.

The takeaway

The Young Park mass shooting was a devastating tragedy for the Las Cruces community, and this conviction of one of the suspects is a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice. However, there is still more work to be done as the other three alleged perpetrators await their day in court.