Albuquerque, NM (KRQE) – Law enforcement agencies say that one suspect is in custody after shooting at the main campus of New Mexico University in Albukerke left one man dead and another man was injured on Friday morning.
At a press conference on Friday night, State Police in New Mexico said that police at the University of New Mexico had been summoned to the Mesa Vista Hall around 1:36 am, where they found broken windows and blood.
Around 2:36, the University of New Mexico University said a 19-year-old patient reported that he had been shot on the campus. UNMPD found a 14-year-old who was shot fatal in the dorm room in Casas del Rio.
According to the NMSP, four people hanged themselves in a hostel-playing room when a suspect, later identified as 18-year-old John Fuentes, began filming in other people in the room where the 14-year-old was later found dead.
Readers of the registration plates followed Fuentes, who was arrested in Valencia County around 2:30 pm on Friday.
NMSP said it appears to have been an isolated incident and has no other threats or suspects.
The UN campus was also closed under a shelter order for most of the day, but has been reopened since.
Lobo signals sent in hour 13:00 said that Unmpd is conducting a “gradual, tactical evacuation” and that the people in the campus should not move from their location without the UNMPD direction. Employees will provide instructions when they arrive at any place, read warning.
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The United Nations Police Department received a report on shots fired at the Student Center for Housing in Casa Del Rio (Gila), located on 420 Redondo Dr. Ne, around 3:00 on Friday morning, according to Lobo. The responsible employees find that two people have been shot. One perishes and the other has suffered incredible injuries.
A signal announcing the shelter was sent to social media at about 6:17. The university first published a signal at 3:27, announcing that it had taken place.
The freshman’s student’s athlete told Krqe that he and his friends watch a movie on the fourth floor of the housing center when they heard noises coming outside the building.
“I just heard like three pop ups, three strong pops up and then, uh, we decided it was like rifles or something, so then we checked the window and then, as, we just saw as random people running around,” said Tassi. “We heard another pop up, and then we just went wrong what was going on, so we just called it one night, and then went to sleep.”
The jubilee Sitia-Tasi, initially from Seattle, said he had been living on the campus since June 13 and had not experienced other incidents.
“What happened last night is just crazy because I want to say that I’m still trying to get used to the environment here, so it’s just crazy to make it happen,” Tassi said.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call UNMPD at 505-277-2241.
Albuquerque Metro Crime Stopers pays up to $ 1,000 for anonymous tips that lead to arrest. Call the top of 505-843-Stop (505-843-7867), download the criminal stopper app or visit AMCS online (www.crimestoppersnm.com) to make anonymous advice.
The shooting is coming as the university hosts its new student orientation, in which approximately 400 students participated and just days before the Unm ended its summer session on July 29th. The autumn semester will begin on August 18th.
Police ask everyone with information to call criminal stoppers, which can be made anonymously.
Unm President Garnet Stokes issued the following statement:
“We understand that this incident can be particularly painful for new students and their families who are here for orientation this week. We want to assure everyone that we are fully engaged in your safety and well -being. Future orientation activities will continue with additional support.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and horrified by this act of violence in our community in the campus. Our thoughts and prayers go to the relatives and friends of the lost and wounded. This is certainly a difficult time and it is good to feel overwhelmed, angry or fear. The University of New Mexico offers our support from the Community, including for students through UNM Student Health and Consulting Services, 505.277.3136 and Timelycare; and for teachers and staff through consultation, assistance and referral services, 505.272.6868. Please contact someone if you need help.
We will continue to provide you with email updates and through our official social media channels in the coming hours and days. Out of respect for those affected by the tragedy and to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we may be limited in sharing some details and we appreciate your understanding and patience as the situation develops.
On behalf of the whole UN leadership, I would like to thank our campus and police in Albukerke, the first responders and employees who acted quickly to guarantee the safety of students and the community. Even before the horror and sadness, the Lobo community remains united and strong as always. We will continue to take care of each other, lean on each other and work tirelessly to ensure that our campus remains a safe and caring community for all.
Please take care of yourself and each other. “
Albukerke Mayor Tim Keller released the following statement:
“We are broken by the heart by the tragic loss of life that originated today on the campus of the University of New Mexico. Our thoughts are with the victim’s relatives, the UN community and all those affected by this pointless act of violence.
We are deeply grateful that the criminal is already in custody and praised the quick reaction from law enforcement officers to guarantee the safety of students, teachers and residents nearby.
We understand that this incident has caused fear for many in our city – especially for those related to the university. Unm must be a safe space for our children and we will continue to stand with the community in the coming days. “
Mayor Tim Keller
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