A violent incident at a park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, resulted in the deaths of three people and injured 15 others on Friday night. Authorities reported that the incident occurred at an unauthorized car show at Young Park, which drew a crowd of around 200 people.
Upon arrival, police and emergency responders found a chaotic scene, with gunshot victims ranging in age from 16 to 36 being treated or transported to nearby hospitals. The police chief, Jeremy Story, stated that between 50 and 60 shell casings from handguns were discovered scattered across a wide area of the park, indicating the presence of multiple shooters and weapons, the Associated Press reports.
According to police, the violence was sparked by "ill will" between two groups, resulting in several individuals being caught in the crossfire. The victims who lost their lives were two 19-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy, although their names and those of the other victims have not been released, according to the Associated Press.
The Las Cruces Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the New Mexico State Police, the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Las Cruces Fire Chief Michael Daniels reported that seven individuals were treated at the scene, including two who tragically lost their lives. An additional 11 victims were transported to three local hospitals or the University Medical Center of El Paso, the regional trauma center.
Seven survivors were in El Paso by Saturday, while four had been treated and released. The conditions of the remaining four victims were not disclosed.
Authorities are actively seeking videos and tips from those present during the incident as they strive to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for this horrific act.
"This horrendous, senseless act is a stark reminder of the blatant disregard people in New Mexico have for the rule of law and order," Story declared, promising to bring the culprits to justice.
Story admitted that illegal car shows at Young Park are not a rare event and that there has been a larger police presence in the past.
However, understaffing within the police department meant he had "no units available for most of the night" on Friday.
He also mentioned that the city has acquired new technology for all its parks as part of its real-time crime center, but it hasn't been installed yet.
As of Saturday, police maintained a presence at the scene, and the park's vicinity remained off-limits to vehicles, as reported by local news outlets.
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"This is a huge crime scene with a lot of moving parts," Story remarked. "It will take time to process it thoroughly and reopen everything."
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