Josiah Ontiveros sentenced to life in Las Cruces park shooting

Josiah Ontiveros received three life sentences Wednesday in a Las Cruces park shooting case. A judge ordered the terms following his jury conviction for a March 2025 attack.

Ontiveros appeared before New Mexico District Judge Douglas Driggers on Wednesday morning. A jury convicted Ontiveros in April of three counts of first-degree murder under a depraved mind. He was 15 at the time of the gunfire.

Ontiveros addressed the court before Driggers announced the prison term. He asked Driggers to consider a lower sentence.

“I’m truly sorry. I can’t bring back your son; it’s a horrible thing that I did,” Ontiveros said. “Please forgive me, I wish it never happened.”

The March 2025 gunfire at Young Park in Las Cruces left three people dead. Several other individuals suffered injuries.

A jury convicted Nathan Rivas and his brother, Tomas Rivas, in February. Both men faced three counts of first-degree murder for their roles. Tomas Rivas received three consecutive life sentences as the first defendant sentenced.

Gustavo Dominguez was tried as an adult in the case. He was 17 at the time of the incident. Dominguez received three consecutive life sentences in September.

New Mexico district courts handle felony criminal cases. Judges impose sentences after jury verdicts under state statutory guidelines.

Nathan Rivas is the final defendant awaiting sentencing in the Las Cruces park case. His hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2026.