ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A University of New Mexico student was fatally shot on campus on Saturday and one student from New Mexico State University was injured Saturday, authorities said.
The shooting happened hours before a men’s basketball game between the rival schools was to be played at the University of New Mexico, KOB-TV reported. The game was postponed, according to the television station.
A shooting was reported around 3 a.m. MST to the University of New Mexico Police Department, KRQE-TV reported.
According to New Mexico State Police, a 19-year-old student at New Mexico and a 21-year-old New Mexico State student were involved in an altercation early Saturday on the University of New Mexico campus, KOAT-TV reported. State troopers said both students were shot during the incident.
The 19-year-old died at the scene and the 21-year-old was taken to an area hospital, according to the television station. New Mexico officials said the student was in stable condition, ESPN reported.
An investigation by state police led officers to stop the New Mexico State University team bus on Interstate 25 as it returned to Las Cruces, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
State Police spokesperson Officer Ray Wilson said the bus was stopped at the Fort Craig rest area “as part of the ongoing investigation into the homicide at UNM,” according to the newspaper.
The bus was later released, KOB reported.
A Lobos basketball team spokesperson confirmed that none of the University of New Mexico players were involved in the shooting, KOB reported. New Mexico State University officials declined to comment on the investigation.
“The entire Lobo community is shaken by this incident, and we mourn the death of one of our students and the injuries sustained by another individual,” the University of New Mexico said in a statement. “The impact of this experience is life-changing for so many and will extend far beyond expressions of grief and sense of loss -- and far beyond the Lobo community.”
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