A tragic shooting at an unsanctioned car show in Las Cruces last March resulted in the deaths of three teenagers and injuries to 15 others, leading to murder convictions and a lawsuit against the city. Cellphone video captured the chaos at Young Park, where 19-year-old Dominick Estrada was among those killed. His sister described him as a dependable and good-hearted person, saying, “Whenever I needed him, he was there, he was a good-hearted person.”Four individuals were charged with three counts of first-degree murder: Tomas Rivas, his brother Nathan Rivas, Gustavo Dominguez, and Josiah Ontiveros. This week, Tomas Rivas was found guilty under a “depraved mind” murder theory after a jury deliberated for about three hours. Prosecutors argued that his actions showed a total indifference to human life.Nathan Rivas’ trial began two days later, with video from the night of his arrest showing him insisting on his innocence, saying, “But I wasn’t. They have no evidence of me doing anything, not even in the picture, nothing.”In court, Nathan Rivas wiped tears from his eyes and cried again when jurors were shown a note from his brother.The trials for Dominguez and Ontiveros are set to start on March 4 and April 1, respectively. Meanwhile, a new lawsuit has been filed by the family of Jason Gomez, one of the teens who lost his life. The lawsuit claims the city of Las Cruces knew these meet-ups kept happening but failed to secure the gates, provide adequate lighting or security, or enforce permits, allowing the dangerous incident to occur. The family is seeking damages for their losses, funeral-related costs, legal costs, and interest. The city told KOAT it cannot comment because the case is pending.Sentencing for Tomas Rivas will be scheduled by the court later, and he faces a mandatory life sentence for each count of first-degree murder.
A tragic shooting at an unsanctioned car show in Las Cruces last March resulted in the deaths of three teenagers and injuries to 15 others, leading to murder convictions and a lawsuit against the city.
Cellphone video captured the chaos at Young Park, where 19-year-old Dominick Estrada was among those killed. His sister described him as a dependable and good-hearted person, saying, “Whenever I needed him, he was there, he was a good-hearted person.”
Four individuals were charged with three counts of first-degree murder: Tomas Rivas, his brother Nathan Rivas, Gustavo Dominguez, and Josiah Ontiveros.
This week, Tomas Rivas was found guilty under a “depraved mind” murder theory after a jury deliberated for about three hours. Prosecutors argued that his actions showed a total indifference to human life.
Nathan Rivas’ trial began two days later, with video from the night of his arrest showing him insisting on his innocence, saying, “But I wasn’t. They have no evidence of me doing anything, not even in the picture, nothing.”
In court, Nathan Rivas wiped tears from his eyes and cried again when jurors were shown a note from his brother.
The trials for Dominguez and Ontiveros are set to start on March 4 and April 1, respectively.
Meanwhile, a new lawsuit has been filed by the family of Jason Gomez, one of the teens who lost his life. The lawsuit claims the city of Las Cruces knew these meet-ups kept happening but failed to secure the gates, provide adequate lighting or security, or enforce permits, allowing the dangerous incident to occur. The family is seeking damages for their losses, funeral-related costs, legal costs, and interest.
The city told KOAT it cannot comment because the case is pending.
Sentencing for Tomas Rivas will be scheduled by the court later, and he faces a mandatory life sentence for each count of first-degree murder.
