On Friday, July 25, there was a deadly shooting at the University of New Mexico’s main campus. The incident occurred in one of the rooms of the Casas Del Rio dormitory complex and resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy and the injury of a 19-year-old in the room. After an hours-long manhunt, New Mexico State Police apprehended the suspect, 18-year-old John Fuentes.
A group of four people, including Fuentes, the 19-year-old and 14-year-old, were playing video games in the dorm room. The fourth person said in court documents filed by state police that Fuentes appeared to be on drugs before the incident occurred. After the shooting had begun, the fourth person and 19-year-old, escaped through the dorm room window before eventually making their way to UNM Hospital.
At 1:36 a.m., UNM Police Department officers responded to a call at Mesa Vista Hall, where they found broken windows and suspected blood. This prompted a search of nearby buildings and led to the discovery of the deceased 14-year-old's body.
The first LoboAlert was sent out at approximately 3:29 a.m. The University then issued a shelter-in-place alert at approximately 6:20 a.m. and closed its central campus out of an abundance of caution, during the search for the suspect.
This occurred during a New Student Orientation session, during which a group of incoming students were on campus and sheltering in Hokona Hall.
The University continued sending out alerts throughout the day, before it announced that it would begin conducting a “staged” and “tactical” evacuation of campus at approximately 1:01 p.m.
During a press conference — that included members of UNMPD, NMSP, APD and agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — UNMPD Chief of Police Joseph Silva, said that UNMPD is putting additional patrols in place and is committed to transparency and communication.
“Our focus is always on the safety and security of campus, and we welcome parents to voice their concerns and reach out to us,” Silva said.
Fuentes was taken into custody at around 2:30 p.m. by NMSP in Valencia County, off of Highway 314 in Los Lunas. Fuentes is being charged with murder in the first degree, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.
Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in the manhunt. UNMPD was the organization that first responded to the reports and discovered the scene. The Albuquerque police department assisted with the containment of the crime scene and investigation, and the National Guard helped APD with maintaining the condition of the crime scene, APD Deputy Chief of Police Cecily Barker said during the press conference.
UNM President Garnett S. Stokes released a statement following the shooting. The statement provides links to mental health care resources and counseling services for students and community members, including the UNM Student Health & Counseling Services and TimelyCare; and for faculty and staff through Counseling, Assistance & Referral Services.
“Even in the face of horror and sadness, the Lobo community remains united and as strong as ever. We will continue to care for each other, to lean on one another, and work tirelessly to ensure our campus remains a safe and caring community for all,” Stokes’s statement reads.
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Jaden McKelvey-Francis is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on X @jadenmckelvey
