The shooter that claimed the life of 14-year-old Michael Lamotte and injured another at a University of New Mexico dormitory last year was officially sentenced last week.
John Fuentes, now 19 years old, was sentenced to 12 years behind bars after taking a plea deal on Aug. 25 in court, during which he pleaded no contest to second degree murder and aggravated battery. The plea agreement includes five years probation when Fuentes is released from prison.
Prosecutors said that on July 25, 2025, Fuentes and Lamotte were with two other friends, Daniel Archuelta and Zion Miera — who is Lamotte’s half brother — inside a Casas del Rio dorm room. Fuentes was the first person involved in the case to be sentenced, according to KOAT.
The teens were in possession of firearms and drugs before Fuentes opened fire, killing Lamotte and injuring Archuleta. The three then left the dorm after the shooting. Prosecutors say that Miera and Archuleta returned to the room later that night to remove evidence, according to KOAT.
Later on, Miera and Archuleta, a resident of the dorm room where the shooting took place, pled guilty to drug possession and tampering with evidence charges. They both face a maximum of six years in prison and are still awaiting sentencing.
UNM Director of University Communication Steve Carr declined to comment on the sentencing, but shared links to UNM’s latest safety initiatives, including the new “UNM Safe” app that will be replacing the previous safety app, LoboGuardian.
The UNM Safe app has a “Mobile BlueLight” that functions like the blue emergency poles seen around campus by allowing users to simultaneously place an emergency call and share their location with responders, according to the app’s website.
The app also allows users to send their location to friends and family while walking around campus, as well as text and report non-emergency tips directly to UNMPD.
UNM Junior Joshua Wilson said he has been living at the Redondo apartments for three years, and that since the shooting, all but one door at the complex remains locked at night and a fence was built around the entrance to the Village Apartments.
Wilson said the dorm doesn’t feel safer but campus security does a great job around the dorms.
“I’m glad they put a fence around the parking lot,” Wilson said.
Jacob Kagan is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
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