18-year-old suspect arrested in shooting at University of New Mexico that left 14-year-old dead
sshepard/Getty Images/STOCK
(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) — A shooting inside a dorm room at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque early Friday morning left a 14-year-old boy dead and another teen wounded, state police said.
The suspect in the shooting, identified by police as 18-year-old John Fuentes, was taken into custody hours after the shooting during a traffic stop in Los Lunas, New Mexico, about 25 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico State Police said during a news conference Friday evening.
Fuentes is expected to face one count of murder along with additional charges.
According to investigators, several young people were inside the dorm room playing video games when the violence broke out.
The other person who was wounded in the shooting is 19, according to police, and had injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, the university said earlier.
Fuentes remains in state police custody. Authorities said he will be booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County.
The university initially issued a shelter-in-place, which lasted much of the day. By Friday afternoon local time, the university said there was “still an active crime scene” in the central part of the campus, but that the shelter-in-place order had been lifted. The central campus remained closed, the university said.
“Waking this morning to the news of this act of violence has shaken the entire UNM community,” she said in a statement. “It is especially heartbreaking that this occurred during the time of a new student orientation — a time when students and their families should be filled with hope, excitement, and a sense of possibility.”
She added, “This heartbreaking incident is yet another reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence and historical trauma in our state.”
(PITTSBURGH) — Three students were injured in a stabbing at Pittsburgh’s Carrick High School on Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Police, fire and EMS responded shortly after 8:30 a.m. following reports of an altercation that led to the stabbings, Pittsburgh Public Safety said on X, formerly Twitter.
Two students were transported by Pittsburgh EMS with stab wounds to their abdomens, according to police. A third victim sustained a minor laceration and was treated at the scene.
In a statement, Pittsburgh Public Schools said the suspect used a small knife and stabbed three other students. The district confirmed one student’s injury may be serious, but said all injured students are receiving medical attention.
A male student was taken into custody at the scene after sustaining a hand laceration, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. He was treated by medics and then transported to police headquarters for questioning.
Pittsburgh Police spokeswoman Cara Cruz told reporters the incident stemmed from an altercation in a hallway and was not random. Cruz confirmed one victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition, another in stable condition, and the third had minor injuries.
The students involved range in age from 15 to 18, Cruz said. The exact age of the suspect have not been confirmed as the investigation continues.
Pittsburgh Public Schools announced the building is in “secure” status. It remains on lockdown while the scene is processed.
Classes are ongoing, but parents may pick up students if they choose, Cruz said.
Authorities urged anyone with video footage of the incident to contact Pittsburgh Police headquarters at 412-323-7800.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
(NEW YORK) — Multiple people were shot Sunday during a packed service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, police said.
At least 10 parishioners were shot, including one who was killed, Grand Blanc Police Chief William Renye said at a news conference. Renye said two other victims were in critical condition and that the gunman, a 40-year-old man, was killed in a gunfight with police.
The church was deliberately set on fire by the suspect, whose name was not immediately released, Renye said.
“We do believe we will find additional victims once we have that scene secured,” Renye said.
The attack unfolded at 10:25 a.m. and more than 100 people were attending the service, according to Renye.
“He ran the vehicle through the front door, exited and started firing shots,” Renye said of the suspect.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and FBI responded to the incident.
Fire set in the aftermath of the shooting grew to a five-alarm blaze that caused a partial collapse of the structure, according to law enforcement officials. Just before 1 p.m., authorities said the fire had been extinguished.
An ABC News source briefed on the investigation said detectives are urgently working to determine the motive behind the shooting. Investigators are working to learn whether the church had been the target of threats in recent months and looking to see whether the timing could be connected to the death on Saturday of Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was 101 years old.
Nelson died at his home in Salt Lake City, church spokesperson Candice Madsen said in a statement.
President Donald Trump said he’s been briefed on the shooting and fire, writing Sunday on social media, “This appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America.”
“The Trump Administration will keep the Public posted, as we always do. In the meantime, PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump said.
Trump also wrote that the FBI is leading the investigation efforts. Trump said that while the suspect is dead, there is “still a lot to learn.”
Vice President JD Vance posted his own statement on social media, calling the shooting and fire at an LDS church “awful.” He said the “entire” Trump administration is monitoring the incident.
“Just an awful situation in Michigan. FBI is on the scene and the entire administration is monitoring things. Say a prayer for the victims and first responders,” Vance wrote.
Shortly after the shooting, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X, “I am receiving briefings about what appears to be a horrific shooting and fire at an LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. @FBI and @ATFHQ agents are en route to the scene now. Such violence at a place of worship is heartbreaking and chilling. Please join me in praying for the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said her “heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community” in a statement on X.
“Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” she said. “I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly. We will continue to monitor this situation and hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Grand Blanc close.”
Renye said during Sunday’s news conference that the FBI has assigned more than 100 agents to help in the investigation.
“Violence in a place of worship is a cowardly and criminal act. Our prayers are with the victims and their families during this terrible tragedy,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesperson Doug Anderson issued a statement confirming that the gunman opened fire on the congregation during Sunday worship services.
“The Church is in communication with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and as we receive updates on the condition of those affected,” Anderson said. “We offer thanks to the emergency responders who are assisting victims and families. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern from so many people around the world. In moments of sorrow and uncertainty, we find strength and comfort through our faith in Jesus Christ. Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”
For years, law enforcement and homeland security experts have been warning that religious institutions across the board are being targeted for acts of violence.
“We can all agree that our houses of worship should be safe places for people to exercise their freedom of religion but right now we are increasingly seeing them being targets for violence — and not just attacks any one faith,” Michael Masters, who oversees security operations for the main U.S. network of Jewish schools and synagogues, told ABC News. “Attacks against religious institutions are attacks against our democracy as a whole.”
Masters said there has been an increase in targeted attacks across the faith-based community over the past several years.
“This is something we’ve been working to prepare for in the Jewish community for many years. In the current threat environment, the offenders are often not distinguishing. There’s the Jewish community, the Sikh community, the Annunciation church and now the LDS church in Michigan,” he said.
(LOS ANGELES) — A former student at a school in California allegedly stabbed three staff members and planted two pipe bombs before being arrested, police said.
The Torrance Police Department is investigating the incident that occurred on Monday at approximately 8:15 a.m., when, they said, a former student from the Switzer Learning Center allegedly stabbed a total of three staff members and attempted to stab a fourth before fleeing the scene.
“Two of the victims were quickly transported to Harbor General Hospital and are currently receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries,” the Torrance Police Department said. “Third victim was treated on the scene by Torrance Fire Department.”
Following the incident, the suspect was taken into custody by law enforcement officials, which is when he told them that “he had placed two pipe bombs in the vicinity of 208 Street and Amapola Avenue,” according to the Torrance Police Department.
“Two devices were located, and they were determined to be incendiary devices, which were rendered safe by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad,” police said in a follow up statement later Monday. “Following a thorough investigation and assessment of the area, we are pleased to report that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad completed its investigation and determined the area safe.”
Police did not reveal the name, age or potential motive of the attack but did say that their investigation is currently open and ongoing.
“The safety of our community is our top priority, and we appreciate the public’s cooperation during this ongoing investigation,” police said.
“The Torrance Police Department would like to thank the community and the media for its cooperation and understanding during this situation,” authorities continued. “The safety and security of our community members is our utmost priority, and we also appreciate the prompt response from all assisting agencies involved.”
