Recent teen violence has Rio Rancho in turmoil

A heavier police presence was already planned for the football game between Cleveland and Rio Rancho high schools on Friday evening.

At the end of the game, the stadium was placed on lockdown, Rio Rancho police confirmed, as officers investigated other possible threats. This was followed by two more great horrors – and a tragic loss.

“I blame the parents,” said a Rio Rancho woman who did not want to be named.

This woman takes her grandchildren to the park instead of letting them play in the front yard.
She said it didn't feel safe anymore.

After a series of threats and violence in Rio Rancho, she said change must start at home.

“You know, the police could (only) do so much,” she said. “You know, courts could do so much. But ultimately it comes from within. What's going on at home?

Earlier this week, police found 15-year-old Adrian Maestas shot to death near the intersection of Inca and 2nd streets in southeast Rio Rancho.

His family said he was on life support but died a few days later.

“You know the family, you know they're going through the (death) of this 15-year-old,” she said. “God, he still had a life to live.”

Our KOB 4 cameras captured this SWAT situation on Friday at a home near the crime scene, but police have not confirmed whether there is a connection. Officers have made no arrests, leaving the community on edge.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Wes Edlang of Rio Rancho. “I can't really believe this is even happening here and I've never heard of it before, but until you just told me, it's really shocking to hear.”

The shooting came a week after a house party in Rio Rancho was broken up by gunfire. Police are still looking for the person who shot that night.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Raul Torrez announced a proposal for tougher penalties for school shooting threats.

“Unfortunately, in the state of New Mexico, we currently treat threats against our schools as a misdemeanor, and I don’t believe that is consistent with our situation as a community,” he said.

He wants to make this crime a crime. And local leaders agreed.

“It’s causing chaos in the community,” said Rio Rancho Police Chief Stewart Steele. “It’s causing chaos within schools and, quite frankly, chaos for our educators.”

This chaos reigned in all its glory on Friday evening.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Rio Rancho School District said a football player received Snapchat messages, including a picture of a gun and the field at Cleveland High School. But there was no direct threat.

Police held players until the parking lot was free and released ten athletes at a time.

Just another potential case of violence for this community to deal with. The police are still appealing for information about all three incidents. If you know anything, call Rio Rancho police.