COURTS
13-year-old pleads no contest in fatal Las Cruces shooting
Boy killed another 13-year-old, Chris Carnero, in March; sentencing set for Aug. 11
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A 13-year-old boy has pleaded no contest in the fatal shooting of another 13-year-old in Las Cruces in late March.
The teen, who was not identified by police due to his age, was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of negligent use of a deadly weapon and one count of possession of a deadly weapon by a minor in the death of Chris Carnero.
The teen pleaded no contest around 4:15 p.m. Monday, 45 minutes before a plea deal deadline set by 3rd Judicial District Judge Robert Lara.
The negligent use of a deadly weapon charge was dismissed, according to the plea agreement.
鈥淭his was 100% an accident and my client feels horrible about what happened,鈥� said Lindsay McDonell-Benatar, attorney for the teenager. 鈥淚t was a terrible and horrific event but by no means was it intentional in any way, shape or form.鈥�
Sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 11. The teen faces a maximum sentence of two years, as New Mexico law prohibits longer sentences for any child under the age of 14.
鈥淭he initial sentence is two years and the only way it can be extended is if, during that two-year period, the child has so much difficulty that the institution or the facility feels that another year is merited,鈥� 3rd Judicial District Attorney Fernando Macias said Thursday.
Carnero鈥檚 mother, Janel Carnero, on Wednesday said that her family had a mix of emotions following the plea and the upcoming sentencing.
鈥淲e鈥檙e still angry that the possibility is just a two-year sentence as the maximum,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e thankful that we don鈥檛 have to go through trial to relive all of that and to put our kids through that.鈥�
The teen allegedly shot Carnero at his Las Cruces home on March 30. It is unclear how the teen got the gun or why the shooting occurred, though Janel Carnero alleged that the gun had been stolen.
Carnero was airlifted to an El Paso, Texas, hospital and was declared brain dead a week later. Carnero鈥檚 family chose to donate his kidney to Sam Burgess, a Las Cruces man who had been battling polycystic kidney disease.
Janel Carnero said she hopes the shooting brings a change to the current juvenile justice code, which has not had a major update since the 1990s, according to a 2025 social media post from Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.
鈥淎ll we can do now is push and hope for change,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have to band together and help each other, and we have to stand up for our kids.鈥�
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
