Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that 15 people were wounded in the mass shooting. The Las Cruces Police Department initially confirmed 14 wounded but later updated the number during a news conference. A victim’s age was updated from 19 years old to 18 years old after police sent an update.

Las Cruces Police Department confirmed that three people were killed and 15 wounded in what they described as a mass shooting during a frantic attack between two rival groups at a public park.

Police responded to the call at 10:10 p.m. to investigate two groups of people that escalated into gunfire, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said at a Saturday morning news conference.

“This is a huge crime scene with lots of moving parts,” Story said.

Police removed 40-60 bullet casings, according to police officials.

Story also added that they have leads they are pursuing. Handgun casings were found throughout the park, but no rifle casings, indicating no assault-style weapon was used in the mass shooting, according to police officials.

“This horrendous, senseless act is a stark reminder of the blatant disregard the people of New Mexico have for the rule of law and order,” Story said. “It’s also a reminder of the utter lack of fear of accountability in New Mexico. As angry as I am right now, this news conference will not be political. There will come a time to talk about the failures that led to this tragedy and so many others. Now is not that time.”

Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez expressed sorrow for those killed and wounded and for their grieving families.

“We need to stand strong. Come together. Help us to heal,” the mayor said.

Las Cruces, New Mexico and federal investigators are asking anyone with video of the attack or anyone armed at the park to share it with them to help in the early stages of the investigation.

Police described the victims as a 19-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy. Names of the deceased and those injured are not being released at this time, police said. Investigators said the shooting victims ranged in age from 16 years old to 36 years old.

Seven people were treated at the scene for injuries, while two were pronounced dead at the scene, Story said.

The police chief said the park has been a hot spot for crime in the past and that the pop-up car shows are “definitely a problem.”

Young Park and nearby streets are temporarily closed while investigators work the crime scene.

Johana Bencomo, who identifies as Las Cruces mayor pro tem and city councilor for District 4, posted on Instagram that three people were dead. Her post initially had the wrong number of wounded.

“This was a heinous act of violence that will leave our city mourning,” Bencomo posted.

Eyewitness reported seeing at least one dead. Officers confirmed that they found multiple gunshot victims. Some victims were taken to the University Medical Center of El Paso.

At this time, police said they could not release the number of victims or the extent of their injuries. No information on arrests has been made public.

UMC of El Paso officials declined to provide any information.

“I do not have information regarding your request,” Estefanía S. Morgan, director of public affairs, responded Saturday morning. 

Police said a car meet-up event was taking place at the park, located at 850 Walnut St.

Police are still trying to identify the suspect or suspects in this case, according to a

Las Cruces Police Department post on Facebook. They provided an update at 11 a.m. MT at Las Cruces City Hall Saturday, March 22.

“Anyone with a verbal description of what happened is being asked to call 575-526-0750,” Las Cruces Public Information Officer Dan Trujillo said.

Trujillo asked for patience as investigators try to learn what happened during the shooting. “We are asking for video of people who may have been carrying firearms,” he said.

Videos can be uploaded to this website: https://lascrucespdnm.evidence.com/…/public/25-030254.

New Mexico State Police, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting with the investigation.

There is no consensus on the definition of what is a

“mass shooting,” but it is typically a shooting that kills or wounds four or more persons.