13-year-old boy dead after shooting in Las Cruces

UPDATE (April 3, 2026) -- The victim, 13-year-old Chris Carnero died, his mother confirmed with ABC-7.

"He was an absolutely beautiful soul," Janel, Carnero's mother, told ABC-7. "I'm sure you can see that just from everyone's words. Yesterday several schools throughout Cruces kids wore pink in memory of him because Chris had hundreds of friends all over Las Cruces."

Pichacho Middle School posted a memorial post on social media. The school shared its heartbreak over the loss of Chris, who was a student there.

"He was a bring light on our campus and will always be part of our Scorpion family," the post said. "He was an absolutely beautiful soul. I'm sure you can see that just from everyone's words. Yesterday several schools throughout Cruces kids wore pink in memory of him because Chris had hundreds of friends all over Las Cruces."

The school also said it's offering counseling and support services for students and staff who may need them.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces police arrested a 13-year-old boy suspected of shooting his friend Monday night, the city said. The arrest happened just before 10:30 p.m. on the 2900 block of Petunia Lane near Picacho Middle School.

The City of Las Cruces said the victim, also 13 years old, was airlifted to a hospital in El Paso in critical condition due to a gunshot wound in the back of his head. While going to the scene, police learned the victim's parents were trying to send him to the hospital.

Police found and arrested the suspect near Picacho Middle School. Police will not identify him due to his age. He faces charges of negligent use of a deadly weapon and minor in possession of a deadly weapon. The city said the suspected shooter is a "frequent runaway" known to possess firearms.

“We know of some social media posts where he’s pictured with guns, firearms,” Las Cruces Police Department Public Information Officer Dan Trujillo said. “There weren’t any arrests or anything like that, not that I know of.”

The city said the Juvenile Probation Office approved the suspect's detention. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

“Our investigators will be interviewing everybody who was in the home,” Trujillo said.

Authorities do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the neighborhood, which residents described as typically quiet.

A neighbor who declined to be identified said they heard a single gunshot around 10:30 p.m.

“Following the gunshot, there was a male juvenile walking southbound on Petunia, screaming out that he was sorry,” the neighbor said.

The neighbor said they then saw what appeared to be the victim’s parents rushing the injured boy into a vehicle before leaving the area. They say police units arrived within minutes and secured the home.

“I’d argue that this neighborhood is pretty quiet,” the neighbor said. “There’s never really been an issue that I could say.”

Trujillo urged gun owners to properly secure their firearms to prevent access by children.

“If you have a firearm, lock it up, keep it away from kids,” Trujillo said. “Make sure it’s locked up at all times.”