Trial date set in Las Cruces mass shooting

Watch the court appearance below.

UPDATE: The trial date has been set for February 9, 2026, and will last three weeks until February 27, 2026. Judge Driggers of the Third Judicial District Court set this case as a track three case. A track three case means both prosecution and defense receive more time to build a case because there's an abundance of witness testimony and evidence.

District Attorney Fernando Macias says he feels this case could've been tried earlier in the year.

"We could have gone to trial much sooner. because some of the issues are very basic, very fundamental," said Macias.

He also says that the state of New Mexico has uploaded about 7,000 pieces of evidence. Which defense attorney for Tomas Rivas, Tom Clark says is evidence he hasn't seen yet.

"Forensics, on the weapons. The ATF's conducting those evaluations, so we don't have a lot of the stuff yet, nor do we expect it. I mean, the state's doing everything it can to give us all the information," Clark told media.

The state has listed over 140 witnesses, which is something Clark does not seem too worried about.

"Eyewitnesses have a really hard time keeping their keeping their story straight," said Clark.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA)-- Today, Tomas Rivas (20), Nathan Rivas (17), and Josiah Ontiveros (15) are appearing in court today for a status hearing/conference today.

In a status hearing, the judge will hear from the prosecution and defense to determine how quickly the case can go to trial.

The shooting at Young Park on March 21 left 3 people killed and 15 others injured.