ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – We are learning more about the deadly shooting on the University of New Mexico’s campus that left a 14-year-old dead and a 19-year-old injured. Police have not yet disclosed why the 14-year-old, identified in a criminal complaint as Michael Lamotte, was on campus, but court documents reveal insights from someone present when the shot rang out.
With over 400 students and parents on campus for new student orientation, many are asking what led to the early Friday morning incident, which resulted in a multi-day shelter-in-place order and a manhunt spanning central New Mexico. “All the resources that we thought were necessary were brought to bear to make sure that we were able to get this case solved and the suspect in custody as quickly as possible,” said New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Officer Troy Weisler.
According to the criminal complaint, the alleged shooter, 18-year-old John Fuentes, arrived at the university around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, driving his father’s car, which had an interlock system. He was meeting with the 19-year-old to play video games. Inside the room were the 19-year-old victim, Lamotte, another male, and Fuentes.
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Police began receiving calls about a shooting around 1:30 a.m. The other male present told police that Fuentes appeared to be under the influence of drugs and shot Lamotte, killing him. He then reported that Fuentes pointed the gun at him and then shot the 19-year-old. The male and the other victim managed to escape through a window and later went to the University of New Mexico Hospital…