An 18-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder after a shooting at a university dormitory in New Mexico left a 14-year-old boy dead and another person injured.
John Fuentes was arrested in Valencia County on Friday afternoon, more than 12 hours after the incident at Mesa Vista Hall on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque. Police said the shooting occurred while four people were in a room playing video games. Fuentes allegedly opened fire, killing the teenager and wounding a 19-year-old, before fleeing with the other two individuals.
The motive remains unclear. Fuentes faces additional charges including aggravated battery, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence. He is being held at Bernalillo County's Metropolitan Detention Center.
The university imposed a shelter-in-place order which was lifted later in the day, though the central campus remained closed. President Garnett S. Stokes expressed sadness and horror, offering thoughts to those affected. New student orientation was taking place at the time, and the university said it was ensuring the safety of those on campus.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the shooting was heartbreaking and stressed that state law prohibits firearms on campus. She said New Mexico must do more to reduce gun violence, particularly involving young people.
