New Mexico State Police released the following update on the shooting that occurred early Saturday morning on the UNM campus, leading to the death of a UNM student and the hospitalization of a student from New Mexico State University. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the injured 21-year-old is NMSU Aggie men's basketball player Mike Peake, who was taken to a hospital and said to be in stable condition. New Mexico State University Chancellor Dan Arvizu issued a statement following the shooting, which is also included in this story.
From New Mexico State Police:
Albuquerque, NM - On November 19, 2022, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate a homicide on the main campus of the University of New Mexico (UNM).
State Police investigators learned that at about 3:00 a.m. there was an altercation between UNM student Brandon Travis, 19, of Albuquerque, and a 21-year-old NMSU student. During the altercation, both individuals sustained gunshot wounds.
Travis was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator and the 21-year-old male was transported to an area hospital for treatment. His current condition is not known.
Through investigation, agents later learned that Travis had conspired with a 17-year-old female and two of Travis’s male friends, all UNM students, to lure the 21-year-old victim to UNM campus and assault him.
Once at the campus, Travis, armed with a firearm, confronted and shot the victim. The victim, who also had a firearm, shot Travis. The female and the other two males fled the scene.
The female was arrested and booked into the juvenile detention center and charged with Aggravated Battery and Conspiracy.
The other two males have been identified by State Police. Agents are working with the district attorney to determine what, if any, charges they face. State Police does not identify victims or those not yet charged with a crime.
The investigation is still active and being led by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau with assistance from the New Mexico State Police Crime Scene Team and the University of New Mexico Police Department.
NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu released the following statement after the shooting:
To our NMSU students, their parents, our employees, our Aggie alumni and our fans:
I’m certain many of you have heard of the devastating events that unfolded this weekend in Albuquerque ahead of our basketball game against the University of New Mexico. There are some details that we know, but unfortunately, there is some important information we still do not know. I believe it’s important that no one rush to judgement until all the facts are made available.
We know that one of our student athletes is now in the hospital following an altercation on the UNM campus. We also know another person has lost their life following that altercation. Any untimely passing is a tragedy, but it’s especially heartbreaking when it involves students and happens on a university campus. I’ve spoken with UNM President Garnett Stokes and relayed my sympathies and those of our entire NMSU community.
Both universities agreed to postpone the basketball game and our team returned home yesterday. Some of our Athletics personnel stayed behind in Albuquerque to be with our student athlete. NMSU personnel have been in contact with investigators and have been cooperating with law enforcement throughout.
The additional circumstances surrounding this incident are still being investigated. As a result, there isn’t much further we can say at this time. I’m confident all the relevant details will come out in time. That information will then help to inform our next steps as a university.
I realize this situation may cause some of our students and employees to feel uneasy. We encourage anyone who may need additional support, including counseling services, to contact the Aggie Health and Wellness Center at 575-646-6428.
Sincerely,
Dan E. Arvizu
Chancellor
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A 19-year-old man was killed and a 21-year-old man was wounded in a predawn shooting Saturday at the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque, where police said it was not an active shooting or a threat to others on campus.
State police have not released the names of those involved in the shooting, however they have confirmed that the 19-year-old was a UNM student and the 21-year-old is a NMSU student.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the injured 21-year-old is NMSU Aggie men's basketball player Mike Peake, who was taken to a hospital and said to be in stable condition. The Journal also reports that New Mexico State Police spokesman Officer Ray Wilson said the Aggie team bus was stopped on the way back to Las Cruces at the Fort Craig rest area “as part of the ongoing investigation into the homicide at UNM.”
UNM school officials called off a basketball game scheduled with in-state rival New Mexico State. State police say the shooting occurred about 3 a.m. Saturday. Albuquerque police say it was near a student dormitory.
Information from: Albuquerque Journal. This is a developing story.