ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – An early morning shooting at a University of New Mexico dormitory on Friday resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy and left a 19-year-old injured. The incident triggered the evacuation of hundreds of students and a campuswide search for the suspect, an 18-year-old male who was later taken into custody.
University officials removed the shelter-in-place order late Friday afternoon, although they noted that an active investigation was still ongoing. The main campus in Albuquerque remained closed following the incident. Students were allowed to access the dining hall and return to their dorms, but were advised to avoid the crime scene.
According to New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler, the shooting occurred inside a dorm room where four individuals, including the suspect, were playing video games together. The 14-year-old victim was fatally shot during the altercation, while the others managed to flee the room. The 19-year-old male sought medical treatment at a local hospital, confirming he had sustained a gunshot wound on campus.
Authorities are investigating the motives behind the shooting, and police are collaborating with prosecutors to prepare charging documents against the suspect. The initial alert about the shooting was disseminated just before 3:30 a.m., followed by a second alert urging individuals to shelter in place shortly after 6 a.m. As a precaution, police evacuated designated areas of the campus. Lt. Tim Delgado from the University of New Mexico Police Department highlighted the necessity of ensuring the safety of students, particularly since the university was conducting student orientation, with approximately 400 new students in residence.
Throughout the day, law enforcement officials cordoned off the area surrounding the student housing complex with yellow tape, while police vehicles blocked access to various roadways as investigators gathered evidence. Witness Mikey Beck, who was staying in the dorms for orientation, reported hearing gunshots and seeing an injured individual hiding in the bushes. He also described witnessing others escape by jumping out of a dorm window.
In reaction to the shooting, university President Garnett Stokes stated there would be an increased law enforcement presence on campus in the days ahead. In a letter to the campus community, Stokes acknowledged the distress this incident might cause to new students and their families attending orientation.
Mayor Tim Keller expressed his condolences, conveying his heartbreak over the tragic loss on the University of New Mexico campus. The incident has reignited concerns regarding violent crime in Albuquerque, especially among youth. District Attorney Sam Bregman has called for urgent legislative action to address the rising crime rates, advocating for state lawmakers to take decisive actions in response to these ongoing challenges.
Amidst growing violence involving minors, including recent incidents like a fatal hit-and-run and another shooting in March that resulted in multiple casualties, there is pressure on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to convene a special legislative session. Although she has previously voiced dissatisfaction with the legislative outcomes, recent indications suggest she may not call lawmakers back to Santa Fe in the immediate future.
As this situation unfolds, the University of New Mexico, which serves roughly 23,000 students during the academic year, continues to address the impact of this tragic event on its community while ensuring the safety and well-being of its students in the lead-up to the fall semester.
