Nathan Rivas sentenced to three life terms in Las Cruces shooting

Nathan Rivas was handed three consecutive life prison terms on Friday, Oct. 9, in Las Cruces. The punishment follows his February conviction for three first-degree murders at Young Park.

The March 2025 shooting killed three people and injured 14 others. Rivas appeared before New Mexico District Judge Douglas Driggers on Friday morning, Oct. 9.

Medical evaluations showed Rivas has a low IQ. His ability to think through challenges is “non-existent,” according to the doctor who conducted the evaluations.

His brother, Tomas Rivas, received three consecutive life sentences in July for the Young Park attack. Gustavo Dominguez was 17 at the time. Dominguez was tried as an adult and sentenced to three consecutive life terms in September.

Josiah Ontiveros was 15 during the incident. He was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder under a “depraved mind.” Ontiveros received three life sentences on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

First-degree murder convictions in Las Cruces district courts carry statutory life terms. State judges can order multiple sentences served consecutively. Consecutive terms require offenders to serve each period in succession.

Tomas Rivas was the last defendant to receive his sentence.