Young Park shooting defendant sentenced to 90 years, eligible for parole in 25
Gustavo Dominguez was sentenced to 90 years for his role in the 2025 Young Park mass shooting but will be eligible for parole after 25 years under New Mexico’s juvenile code.
Gustavo Dominguez was 17 at the time of the 2025 mass shooting and was prosecuted under New Mexico’s juvenile code
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - An 18-year-old convicted in the 2025 Young Park mass shooting was sentenced Friday to 90 years in prison, though he will be eligible for parole after 25 years because he was a juvenile at the time of the shooting.
Gustavo Dominguez was 17 when three people were killed and several others injured in the shooting. He was prosecuted under New Mexico’s juvenile code, according to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
“Gustavo Dominguez acted without any remorse, without any hesitation and with a blatant disregard for human life,” District Attorney Fernando Macias said in a statement.
Dominguez is one of four defendants convicted of three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.
Damien Willis
Second defendant sentenced
Dominguez is the second of the four defendants to be sentenced.
Tomas Rivas was sentenced in August to three consecutive life sentences totaling 90 years for his role in the shooting.
Sentencing for Josiah Ontiveros is scheduled for Sept. 30, while Nathan Rivas is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 9.
Macias is seeking 90-year sentences for both remaining defendants.
During Dominguez’s sentencing hearing, relatives of one of the people killed addressed the court and Dominguez.
“We will never get to see him walk through the doors with his big, beautiful smile. We will never get to hug him,” the family said. “You shattered an entire family and deserve life behind bars.”
Prosecutors seek matching sentences
Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson said prosecutors intend to continue pursuing lengthy sentences in the remaining cases.
“We are committed to seeking justice for all the lives that were taken and the families whose lives were forever changed,” Willson said. “Our office will continue to pursue accountability for those responsible.”
The cases were prosecuted by Macias and Willson and investigated by the Las Cruces Police Department.
