Nathan Rivas found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder; two more suspects still awaiting trial

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - A jury on Wednesday found 18-year-old Nathan Rivas guilty of three counts of first-degree murder for his role in the March 21, 2025, mass shooting at Young Park that left three people dead and 15 others injured.

Jurors returned guilty verdicts tied to the deaths of Dominick Estrada, 19, Andrew Madrid, 16, and Jason Gomez, 18. Prosecutors said the three were killed when gunfire erupted during an unsanctioned car meet that drew hundreds of people to the park late that evening.

Investigators said an altercation between groups escalated into an exchange of gunfire, sending bystanders fleeing and leaving victims scattered across the park and surrounding parking areas. In total, 18 people were struck by gunfire or shrapnel — making the incident the largest mass shooting in recent New Mexico history by total number of victims.

Rivas was 17 at the time of the shooting but was prosecuted as an adult.

He is the second defendant convicted in the case. On Feb. 16, a jury found his older brother, 21-year-old Tomas Rivas, guilty of three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the same shooting.

Four suspects were arrested in the days following the incident and charged in connection with the gunfire. The cases have proceeded on separate tracks through the courts.

Two remaining defendants are still awaiting trial. Proceedings for Josiah Ontiveros are scheduled to begin April 1, followed by a July 1 trial for Gustavo Dominguez.

The March 2025 shooting — which left three people dead and 15 others wounded — drew statewide attention and remains one of the most significant mass casualty events in the state’s recent history.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. He can be reached at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or on X at @damienwillis.