Tomas Rivas Found Guilty in Young Park Shooting, DA Fernando Macias Praises Verdict

Las Cruces, New Mexico – A Doña Ana County jury has found Tomas Rivas guilty of three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting at Young Park in August 2023 that left three people dead and over a dozen injured. The verdict, reached Monday, marks a significant moment in the case and was met with a statement from District Attorney Fernando R. Macias.

Details of the Trial and Testimony

The trial involved days of testimony, culminating in Rivas taking the stand on Friday. He testified that he fired his weapon in self-defense. During cross-examination by prosecutors, Rivas’s account of events was challenged, with District Attorney Macias questioning the consistency of his statements to law enforcement following the shooting.

Charge Dropped and Jury Deliberation

One charge against Rivas, conspiracy to commit murder, was dropped after his testimony on Friday. Following closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense on Monday morning, the jury began deliberations.

DA Macias’s Statement on the Verdict

Following the guilty verdict, District Attorney Fernando R. Macias released a statement emphasizing the community’s commitment to safety. “Today, we affirmed that in Doña Ana County, we do not accept violence as inevitable. We choose to define ourselves not by the tragedy we have endured, but by the safety and peace we are determined to build,” Macias stated. He also acknowledged the support of the Las Cruces Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in securing the conviction.

Remaining Charges and Defendants

Charges remain pending against three other individuals in relation to the events at Young Park: Nathan Rivas, 18; Gustavo Dominguez, 18; and Josiah Ontiveros, 16. The investigation and prosecution of these individuals are ongoing.

The Prosecution’s Argument

The prosecution successfully argued that Rivas committed an act greatly dangerous to the lives of others, demonstrating a “depraved mind” and total indifference to the value of human life, as required for the Depraved Mind Murder conviction.