LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — A week after the tragic mass shooting at Young Park that claimed three lives and left many others injured, the Las Cruces community gathered for a vigil in the downtown plaza. The event, aimed at the youth of Las Cruces, was a night of hope and healing.
Madison Selberg, a local teenager who attended the vigil, lost her friend AJ Madrid in the shooting. “I feel like coming together as a community, especially, is a lot of help. Just finding your people and knowing that they’re there for you,” said Selberg. She added, “But just being together as a community it made it a lot easier. Finding my friends and family brings a lot of comfort and support. It’s been really quiet but really chaotic at the same time.”
The vigil featured candles, families gathered, and many residents stopping to listen. Stevie Paz, Director of Communications at NM Cafe, emphasized the importance of the event. “Because they observed a lot of division occurring online in terms of conversation and comments. And they’re like we want to unite everybody,” said Paz. “We think it’s important to platform youth because they have things to say. We hope that all adults, our elected leaders, hear them.”
Dulce Devora, one of the young speakers, expressed the need for unity among the youth. “Like the youth, as of 2025, it is very separated, everyone is in their own little world. They don’t really know what’s happening and even if they know they don’t care. I feel like events like these can bring them closer and together,” said Devora.
Jem Rodriguez, another young attendee, highlighted the need for more community events. “I mean just community stuff in downtown that’s after school hours and anything like that so these kids can actually go to events, especially stuff like this,” said Rodriguez.
Attendees expressed that the vigil was about peace and demonstrating care for the community in the wake of the tragedy.
Link to story on KFOX: https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/las-cruces-community-unites-in-vigil-for-young-park-shooting-victims
