VIOLENCE AND. THE 14 YEAR MICHAEL LAMONT HAS NOW BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE VICTIM SHOT AND KILLED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO ON FRIDAY. INDIVIDUALS WERE PLAYING VIDEO GAMES IN A RESIDENCE THAT DID BELONG TO A UNM STUDENT. AT SOME POINT, FOR REASONS THAT WE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING, THE SUSPECT BEGAN SHOOTING A FIREARM AT THE OTHER OCCUPANTS OF THE ROOM. THE 14 YEAR OLD VICTIM WAS FATALLY SHOT AND REMAINED AT THAT LOCATION, WHERE HE WAS LATER FOUND. THE OTHER OCCUPANTS, ALONG WITH THE GUNMAN, FLED FROM THE ROOM. LAMONT’S FAMILY, HEARTBROKEN, DESCRIBING HIM AS AN AMAZING BOY WHOSE LIFE WAS CUT SHORT TO A SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE, A BELOVED SON, BROTHER AND TRUE FRIEND TO MANY. HIS LOSS, QUOTE, LEAVING A HOLE IN THE LIVES OF EVERYONE WHO KNEW AND LOVED HIM AND HIS FAMILY. SENDING US THIS VIDEO OF HIM PLAYING THE VIOLIN. THEY TELL US HE WAS A LOVER OF MUSIC AND HAD A VOICE OF AN ANGEL. LAMONT’S FAMILY CONFIRMING WITH US HE WAS HEADING INTO HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR AT RIO RANCHO
‘A senseless act of violence’: 14-year-old killed in University of New Mexico shooting identified
‘Michael was a beloved son, brother, and a true friend to many. His loss has left a hole in the lives of everyone who knew and loved him,’ Michael LaMotte’s family stated.
Michael LaMotte, 14, has been identified as the victim shot and killed at the University of New Mexico overnight on Friday, July 25. The LaMotte family is mourning the loss of their loved one. The family confirmed with KOAT that he was a student at Rio Rancho High School and headed into his sophomore year this fall. He would have turned 15 on August 5. MORE | Background: Court documents reveal what led to University of New Mexico shootingIn a post, they stated that Michael was an “amazing boy who was taken from this world far too soon due to a senseless act of violence.” They also said to KOAT that he was a lover of music and had a voice of an angel, sending video of Michael playing the violin. Video Below: Shooting on UNM Campus “We are heartbroken to share the devastating loss of Michael, an amazing 14-year-old boy who was taken from this world far too soon due to a senseless act of violence.Michael was a beloved son, brother, and a true friend to many. His loss has left a hole in the lives of everyone who knew and loved him.” —The LaMotte FamilyRelated: University of New Mexico shooting suspect arrested”At some point, for reasons we are still investigating, the suspect began shooting a firearm at the other occupants of the room. The 14-year-old victim was fatally shot and remained at that location, where he was later found. The other occupants, including the gunman, fled from the room,” New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said during Friday’s press conference following the shooting.”There were individuals who were playing video games in a residence that did belong to a UNM student,” University of New Mexico Police Chief Joseph Silva said during Friday’s press conference.Candlelight VigilDate: July 29Time: 7:30 p.m.Place: Haynes ParkAddress: 2006 Grande Blvd. SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 Several fundraisers have been held at Rio Rancho’s Elite Physique Gym in support of the LaMotte family following Michael’s death. For more information, view here.This is a developing story. Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download here.
Michael LaMotte, 14, has been identified as the victim shot and killed at the University of New Mexico overnight on Friday, July 25, 2025. The LaMotte family is mourning the loss of their loved one. The family confirmed with KOAT he was student at Rio Rancho High School and headed into his sophomore year, Fall of 2025. He would have turned 15-year-old on August 5, 2025.
MORE | Background: Court documents reveal what led to University of New Mexico shooting
In a post, they stated, Michael was an “amazing boy whose was taken from this world far too soon due to a senseless act of violence.” They also revealed to KOAT he was a lover of music and had a voice of an angel along with video sent of LaMotte playing the violin.
Video Below: Shooting incident on UNM Campus
“We are heartbroken to share the devastating loss of Michael, an amazing 14-year-old boy who was taken from this world far too soon due to a senseless act of violence.
Michael was a beloved son, brother, and a true friend to many. His loss has left a hole in the lives of everyone who knew and loved him.” – The LaMotte Family
Related: University of New Mexico shooting suspect arrested
“At some point for reasons we are still investigating, the suspect began shooting a firearm at the other occupants of the room. The 14-year-old victim [Michael] was fatally shot and remained at that location where he was later found. The other occupants, including the gunman, fled from the room,” New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler said during Friday’s press conference following the shooting.
“There were individuals who were playing video games, in a residence, that did belong to a UNM student,” University of New Mexico Police chief Joseph Silva said during Friday’s press conference.
Candlelight Vigil
- Date: July 29, 2025
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Place: Haynes Park
- Address: 2006 Grande Blvd. SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Several fundraisers have been held at Rio Rancho’s Elite Physique Gym in support of LaMotte’s passing. For more information, view here.
This is developing story. Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here.
