Teen Charged After Fatal Dorm Shooting at UNM \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A 14-year-old boy was killed and a 19-year-old was wounded in an early-morning shooting at a University of New Mexico dorm. An 18-year-old suspect was arrested and faces murder and other charges. Hundreds of students were evacuated, and campus lockdowns followed before investigations continued.
Quick Looks
- A 14-year-old male was fatally shot early Friday at a University of New Mexico dormitory
- A 19-year-old was also injured and treated at a hospital
- An 18-year-old suspect, John Fuentes, was arrested around 2:30 p.m. and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and more
- Fuentes is held without bond pending legal proceedings; public defender involvement is expected if needed
- Campus-wide shelter-in-place orders were lifted, but the main campus remains closed while the investigation continues
- Students were allowed to return to dorms and dining areas but asked to avoid the crime scene
- The shooting began inside a dorm room where four individuals were playing video games
- Three other people fled the room after shots were fired, according to police
- Campus orientation participants were part of the evacuation, with over 400 students housed in dorms
- UNM dispatched a tactical evacuation; buses transported students under police supervision
- Increased law enforcement presence on campus is planned in the coming days
- The incident has sparked broader debate about youth violence and gun access in New Mexico
Deep Look
A fatal shooting Thursday night at a University of New Mexico dormitory sent shockwaves through the Albuquerque campus and raised urgent questions about youth violence, gun access, and campus safety protocols.
Just before 3:30 a.m., the UNM Police Department received reports of gunshots inside a dorm room on the main campus. Within hours, a shelter-in-place order was issued, followed by a staged evacuation coordinated with orientation sessions and over 400 students present in nearby housing.
Authorities confirmed that four individuals were playing video games in the dorm room when gunfire erupted. The suspect, identified as 18-year-old John Fuentes, allegedly fired the shots, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring a 19-year-old man. The other occupants escaped and reported the incident to campus officials. The younger victim was pronounced dead at the scene while the 19-year-old was treated at a local hospital; his condition has not been disclosed.
By approximately 2:30 p.m., New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler stated that Fuentes was taken into custody on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and tampering with evidence. He will be held without bond until a district court determines release conditions.
There is no indication that Fuentes had legal representation at the time of his arrest. Representatives from the New Mexico Office of Public Defender, including spokesperson Maggie Shepard, confirmed they will assign legal counsel pending a determination of need. Messages were left with defense officials who appeared during Fuentes’ arraignment on Saturday.
UNM Officials lifted the shelter-in-place order late Friday afternoon but maintained that the campus would remain closed while investigations proceeded. Dining halls reopened, and students were allowed to return to dorms—but authorities insisted they avoid the crime scene as forensic teams continued gathering evidence.
Vice President Joseph Silva of the university police described the chaotic aftermath of the incident, noting the dorms stayed sealed off with yellow police tape throughout the day. Investigators blocked roadways and canvassed eyewitness testimony to build a comprehensive timeline of events.
One freshman undergoing orientation, Mikey Beck, described hearing shots overnight and spotting individuals fleeing through dorm hallways and into bushes. He shared that some students even jumped out of windows to escape, reflecting the panic and terror many experienced. “It’s really sketchy,” Beck said. “Just being in Albuquerque now feels scary.”
Emergency buses, organized by UNM, lined up near the student housing area to transport people to safety. President Garnett Stokes addressed the campus in a letter, promising an increased law enforcement presence in the coming days and acknowledging the incident’s emotional toll—particularly on incoming students and their families.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of life that occurred,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. His message echoed sentiments from public officials and advocacy groups expressing sorrow over a teenager’s life extinguished by another.
The tragedy comes amid a larger conversation about juvenile crime rates in New Mexico, a state confronting increasing levels of youth violence. District Attorney Sam Bregman, seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, called on state lawmakers to take decisive action. He described the fatal shooting—carried out by another teenager—as evidence of a widening crisis.
“This is an absolute tragedy,” Bregman remarked. “Once again, a child has lost their life at the hands of a teenager. The combination of teenagers and guns is a toxic and deadly mix—and we must address it.”
His remarks drew attention to other recent incidents, including a multi-casualty shooting in Las Cruces and a fatal hit-and-run in Albuquerque involving young suspects. Prosecutors and Republican lawmakers have urged Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to call a special legislative session to tackle these issues; however, she has not signaled intent to convene lawmakers.
Meanwhile, UNM’s student body—numbering around 23,000—prepares to return to campus in approximately three weeks for the fall semester. The shooting has cast a pall over the orientation season and school community at large.
In the days ahead, investigators will continue to collect forensic data, surveillance video, and eyewitness interviews, while legal bodies prepare arraignment documents and determine whether juvenile or adult court proceedings apply.
For students and staff, campus mental health resources are being mobilized to support those shaken by the incident. And statewide, the tragedy may force a long-overdue reevaluation of how communities respond to adolescent gun access, violence prevention, and public safety measures in educational environments.
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