LAS CRUCES, NM – It was supposed to be an evening of gleaming chrome and roaring engines, but a car and truck show in Las Cruces transformed into a scene of panic and fear. As the clock neared 10 p.m., the sound of gunfire shattered the night, turning Young Park into a crime scene.
The event at 850 South Walnut Street, meant for enthusiasts to showcase their prized vehicles, quickly devolved into chaos. Attendees scrambled for safety, seeking refuge under cars or fleeing as the shots echoed through the park. Social media lit up with videos capturing the mayhem, showing a frantic rush to escape the danger.
Law enforcement, including local police, the FBI, and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, descended on the area, which remains sealed off as investigators sift through the aftermath. Despite the flurry of activity, details remain scarce regarding the number of victims and the extent of their injuries.
Helicopters have been ferrying the injured to the University Medical Center in El Paso, underscoring the severity of the situation. Families, desperate for news, have gathered, some identifying vehicles belonging to loved ones caught in the crossfire.
The specter of past tragedies looms large in the community’s memory, recalling incidents like the 1990 Las Cruces Bowling Alley massacre and the 2019 Walmart shooting in El Paso. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are piecing together the sequence of events and appealing to the public for any information that might lead them to the perpetrators.
The streets around Young Park remain a hive of police activity, with investigators meticulously combing the area for evidence. For now, the community waits with bated breath, hoping for answers and fearing the worst.
Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement, and those concerned about friends or family who might have been at the show are encouraged to reach out to local authorities. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on unraveling the mystery behind this shocking act of violence.