ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A week after a fatal shooting on the University of New Mexico (UNM) campus claimed the life of 14-year-old Michael LaMotte and injured a 19-year-old student, university leaders held a press conference to address ongoing security concerns and detail their recent investments in campus safety.
University officials revealed that over the last five years, more than $20 million has been allocated to safety enhancements, including improved lighting in parking areas, expanded security camera coverage, controlled building access, and officer training programs. The acquisition of a former Motel 6 building near Lobo Village was also part of this strategy.
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UNM President Garnett Stokes and UNM Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Teresa Costantinidis confirmed that the shooting has prompted a comprehensive review of campus security measures.
Residence Hall Security and Visitor Management Under Scrutiny
According to university officials, current security policies, including guest entry regulations and access control systems, are being closely evaluated. One key issue raised involved confusion regarding who is permitted inside student housing.
“Three individuals who were not enrolled in the university were invited into one of our residence halls,” stated President Stokes. “We’re working to evaluate what preventive measures can be taken to limit our residence halls to the students we serve, while still providing a welcoming environment where students feel safe and at home,” reports KOAT.
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The existing student housing handbook specifies that guests must be UNM students to stay overnight. However, Costantinidis highlighted discrepancies in the application of this policy across dormitories.
“The current handbook says guests must be UNM students, but it also defines a guest as anyone spending the night or storing belongings in the room. We are still investigating how these policies are practiced across all residential facilities,” she told KOB4.
Emergency Alert System Faces Criticism
Another issue that has drawn attention is the university’s emergency notification system. Some students and staff reported that they were unaware of the shooting and subsequent shelter-in-place orders until hours after the incident. Addressing this concern, UNM acknowledged limitations in the current system and expressed intentions to enhance communication during emergencies.
The fatal shooting on campus is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have amplified concerns about student safety. Earlier this year, two residents were shot during a party at the Lobo Village apartment complex, which serves as housing for students. Reports state the incident involved an automatic firearm, reports the Santa Fe New Mexican. Additionally, a UNM student was stabbed multiple times in September during a fight at a birthday party in the same complex.
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Since December, at least two other weapons-related violations have occurred in student housing, further highlighting the need for robust security measures.
