Youngest of four defendants testified in his own defense; jury acquits him on three conspiracy charges

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - A jury has found Josiah Ontiveros guilty on three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the 2025 Young Park mass shooting, while acquitting him on three conspiracy charges.

Ontiveros is the youngest of four defendants charged in the case. He testified this week in his own defense, acknowledging he was armed but claiming he fired only after he was shot at and feared for his life.

The March 21, 2025, shooting at Young Park killed Dominick Estrada, 19, Andrew Madrid, 16, and Jason Gomez, 18, and injured 15 others during an unsanctioned car meet that drew hundreds of people to the park. Investigators said an altercation between groups escalated into an exchange of gunfire, sending bystanders fleeing and victims falling across the park and surrounding parking areas. OMN previously reported the shooting was the largest mass shooting in recent New Mexico history by total number of victims.

Jurors found Ontiveros guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and not guilty on three conspiracy charges.

Ontiveros is the third defendant convicted in the case. In February, juries separately convicted Tomas Rivas and Nathan Rivas on three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the same shooting. A fourth defendant, Gustavo Dominguez, is still awaiting trial.

Sentencing for Ontiveros, who was tried as an adult, has not yet been scheduled.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.