Albuquerque, N.M. – A shooting at the University of New Mexico (UNM) left one person dead and another injured early Friday morning, prompting a shelter-in-place order for the campus. The shooting occurred at the Casas del Rio student housing complex around 3:00 a.m. local time, according to the UNM Police Department. U.S. Marshals arrested a suspect later that afternoon in Los Lunas.
Incident Details and Shelter-in-Place Update
UNM sent out an emergency alert, informing students that the central campus was an active crime scene. The university assured students that evacuation was not mandatory, and dormitory students were still allowed to eat in La Posada and return to their rooms. However, they were instructed to avoid the crime scene area and follow officers’ directions. The shelter-in-place order was lifted in the afternoon once the suspect was arrested, though police continued to investigate.
Witness Accounts and Student Reactions
Students in the Gila building reported hearing “four or five shots” just before midnight, well before the shooting was officially reported. Freshman Jubilee Tasi, who was in the building at the time, said, “We heard another popping, and then after that, we were just confused on what was going on.” Tasi, a freshman from Seattle, expressed shock, saying, “What happened last night is just crazy…I’m still trying to get used to the environment over here.”
University Response and Updates
UNM President Garnett Stokes addressed the situation via the school’s social media, confirming that multiple shots were fired early Friday, resulting in one fatality and one injury. The injured victim is currently receiving medical care at a local hospital, though the identities of the deceased and injured have not been released.
Officials urged students and staff to stay informed by checking their emails, text messages, and the LoboGuardian app for real-time updates. Multiple law enforcement agencies remain involved in the ongoing investigation, and the university has assured the campus community that safety remains a top priority.
