2025 University of New Mexico shooting
| 2025 University of New Mexico shooting | |
|---|---|
| Location | Casas Del Rio, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 35.084865517859164, -106.61585263734365 |
| Date | July 25, 2025 1:36 A.M. MST, July 25, 2025 |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Injured | 1 |
At approximately 1:36 A.M. MST, July 25, 2025, a shooting occurred at Casas Del Rio complex at the University of New Mexico main campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A 19-year-old allegedly shot and killed 14-year-old Michael LaMotte, as well as injuring another person who was in the same room as LaMotte. He then allegedly fled the scene and was later apprehended in Los Lunas.
While the motive has not been conclusively determined, police stated that he appeared to be under the influence of drugs when arrested in Los Lunas. The shooting sparked discussions about crime in New Mexico, as well as gun violence in the Albuquerque community. The LaMotte family personally criticized the response by UNM as well as the Albuquerque Police Department. The suspect is currently being held in jail before his trial.
Shooting
Initial events
During July 25, 2025, prosecutors allege that four teenagers in a Casas Del Rio dorm used a series of illegal substances, including LSD and cocaine. Citing police body camera footage, the suspect's lawyer stated that he appeared to be under the influence when apprehended later that day.[1]
Around 1:36 A.M., the suspect allegedly began shooting in the dorm with a Glock 9mm pistol,[1] killing LaMotte and causing the remaining two occupants of the dorm to flee the room along with him.[2] During the shooting, another 19-year-old was injured. This individual brought himself to the UNM Hospital, and was treated for non-life threatening injuries.[3]
Manhunt and evacuations
According to NMSP Chief Troy Weisler, UNM police initially responded to reports of an alarm at Mesa Vista Hall at around 1:36 A.M. After finding broken windows and trails of blood, police began a wider search of the area, which eventually led to the discovery of a body in a room within Casas Del Rio.[4] The suspect is believed to have ended up on the roof of Mesa Vista Hall after fleeing the scene of the crime, breaking the windows in order to escape and injuring himself in the process.[5]
As the manhunt for him continued, the UNM Campus remained under shelter-in-place until 4:00 P.M. on July 25, as well as evacuations which were performed by UNM PD.[6] He was eventually apprehended during a traffic stop on Highway 314 in Los Lunas at approximately 2:30 P.M.[7]
Victim
Michael LaMotte, a 14-year-old student at Rio Rancho High School, was the individual killed in the shooting. He was in the dorm which was rented by another male who was in the room during the shooting.[8]
Suspect
A 18-year-old has been charged with 1st degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence. He is currently being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque.[9]
Aftermath
Reactions
UNM President Garnett Stokes stated in a press release her apologies for the events that happened and her condolences to the families of those killed in the event.[10]
The family of Michael LaMotte, in an official press release by their attorneys, stated that the response by UNM PD was unsatisfactory to respond to the incident, as it took nearly an hour after the original report before LaMotte's body was found.[11]
New Mexico Representative Marianna Anaya, whose district includes the University of New Mexico main campus, cited the tragedy of the situation as a reminder of the necessity for gun control.[12]
References
- ^ a b Uyttebrouck, Olivier (August 5, 2025). "Teens used LSD, cocaine in UNM dorm before fatal shooting, prosecutor says". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Sheffield, Toria (July 26, 2025). "Man, 18, Identified as Suspect Who Allegedly Killed 1, Injured Another During University of New Mexico Shooting". People.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Egbuonu, Faith (July 30, 2025). "Timeline of events in University of New Mexico's deadly shooting". KOAT. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Adam Sabes, Louis Casiano (July 25, 2025). "University of New Mexico dorm shooting leaves one dead, alleged gunman arrested after manhunt". Fox News. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Shapiro, Emily (July 25, 2025). "18-year-old suspect charged in shooting at University of New Mexico that left 14-year-old dead". ABC News. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Rodriguez, Vince (July 26, 2025). "Suspect in custody after fatal shooting on University of New Mexico campus". WBAL. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Shapiro, Emily (July 26, 2025). "18-year-old suspect charged in shooting at University of New Mexico that left 14-year-old dead". ABC News. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ McClelland, Nakayla (August 1, 2025). "UNM exploring why 14-year-old was on campus, says it plans to upgrade emergency alert system". Rio Rancho Observer. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Clark, Carol (July 26, 2025). "NMSP: 18-Year-Old Arrested In Shooting Death Of 14-Year-Old Boy On University Of New Mexico Campus". ladailypost.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ "Campus safety update: Supporting each other through this difficult time". UNM UCAM Newsroom. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ https://htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-28-lamotte-press-release-pdf-688855a0f1379.pdf
- ^ Greyman-Kennard, Danielle (July 25, 2025). "University of New Mexico schooting attack kills one | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved August 10, 2025.