A tragic shooting on the University of New Mexico campus early Friday morning left a 14-year-old boy dead and a 19-year-old man wounded, triggering a shelter-in-place order and an extensive search for the suspect. Authorities identified the teen who was fatally shot as Michael Lamotte, though the reason for his presence on campus remains unclear.
According to court records, the suspected gunman, 18-year-old John Fuentes, arrived at the university Thursday evening around 8:00 p.m. in his father’s car, which was equipped with an interlock system. Fuentes reportedly met with the 19-year-old victim for a gaming session inside a campus dorm room. Also present were Lamotte and another male.
Around 1:30 a.m., gunfire was reported. Witnesses told police that Fuentes appeared to be under the influence and shot Lamotte without provocation. He then allegedly turned the gun on the 19-year-old and fired again. The surviving victim and a witness managed to escape through a window and later sought help at the University of New Mexico Hospital.
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The hospital alerted authorities around 2:30 a.m. after treating the 19-year-old, who claimed to have been shot on campus. This initiated a manhunt that ended later that afternoon when Fuentes was located and arrested in Los Lunas around 2:30 p.m.
New Mexico State Police credited advanced license plate reader systems for tracking Fuentes and aiding his swift capture. The criminal complaint detailed that Fuentes had broken windows in the Mesa Vista building during his escape. Police later found bloodstains, a pair of jeans, and a stolen handgun on the building’s roof. It is believed he was picked up by two individuals who helped him return to Los Lunas.
Possessing a firearm on university property is illegal under New Mexico law. Prosecutors have filed a motion to keep Fuentes in custody while he awaits trial. The campus community, which had over 400 students and parents present for orientation, continues to reel from the disturbing incident.
