What began as a normal night of video games inside a University of New Mexico dorm room ended in a nightmare. A 14-year-old boy is dead, a 19-year-old is recovering from a gunshot wound, and an 18-year-old has been arrested for murder.
Authorities have identified the suspect as John Fuentes, 18, who was taken into custody just hours after the early morning shooting at Mesa Vista Hall, a student housing complex on UNM’s main campus. Fuentes was captured during a traffic stop nearly 25 miles away in Los Lunas and is now facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and evidence tampering.
According to the New Mexico State Police, four young people were inside a dorm room just after 1:30 a.m. Friday playing video games. Something went horribly wrong.
“For reasons still under investigation, the suspect opened fire inside the room,” state police said in a statement. “The 14-year-old was fatally struck. The 19-year-old victim was also hit but managed to escape.”
Police say the group, including Fuentes, fled the scene. The younger teen died at the scene. His name has not yet been released, pending notification of his family.
When UNM campus police arrived, they found shattered windows and blood—signs of a violent eruption inside the dorm. A short time later, a 19-year-old arrived at UNM Hospital with a gunshot wound, telling doctors he’d been shot on campus.
As panic spread, the university went into lockdown. A shelter-in-place order remained in effect for hours, forcing students to stay in dorm rooms and dining halls while law enforcement combed through campus buildings.
“Please avoid the crime scene and follow officers’ instructions,” the university warned in a public alert.
The shelter order was eventually lifted by Friday afternoon, but the central corridor of campus remained an active crime scene well into the evening.
By midday Friday, state troopers had tracked Fuentes down during a traffic stop in Los Lunas. He was taken into custody without incident and is being held at Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Detention Center.
Authorities have not released a motive, but they confirmed the shooting was not random. Investigators are now working to piece together how a 14-year-old ended up inside a university dorm room—and how an 18-year-old ended the night with a murder charge.
New Mexico State Rep. Marianna Anaya called the incident “a devastating blow to the UNM community,” especially as it coincided with new student orientation.
“This is supposed to be a time of hope and excitement for students and their families,” Anaya said. “Instead, we are mourning a child’s life cut short by senseless gun violence.”
She added: “New Mexico continues to suffer from the weight of historical trauma and unchecked gun access. This has to stop.”
As police continue their investigation, students are grappling with fear and disbelief.
“I can’t believe something like this happened in my dorm building,” said freshman Alyssa Torres. “It’s horrifying. I just got here.”
UNM officials say counseling services are being offered to students affected by the tragedy, and they are urging anyone with information to contact campus or state police.
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