Just six days after three college football players were shot at the University of Virginia, a New Mexico State men’s basketball player was shot in the early morning hours of Saturday and was “lured” to the University of New Mexico campus by four New Mexico students before a fight ensued wherein he shot and killed one of the students, according to a Sunday statement by the New Mexico State police.
In the predawn shooting that led to the postponement of Saturday’s New Mexico State-New Mexico rivalry game in Albuquerque, Mike Peake, a junior forward, was wounded by Brandon Travis, a 19-year-old New Mexico student, a source told ESPN, confirming multiple reports. Peake then used a fire arm he possessed to shoot Travis, according to police.
Travis was pronounced dead on the scene.
New Mexico State police officials said Peake’s condition is not known at this time; however, a statement by the University of New Mexico that was sent to the student body, acknowledged that he was in “stable” condition.
The three other suspects, a 17-year-old female and two of Travis’ friends, all left the scene after the shooting, which took place at a New Mexico dormitory.
“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,” the New Mexico State police statement said.
The 17-year-old female has been arrested and charged with aggravated battery and conspiracy.
Peake, who is averaging 9.0 points-per-game through two games, was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The release by New Mexico State police calls Peake a “victim” in the shooting.
A statement by New Mexico State called the shooting “heartbreaking” and said men’s basketball staffers had remained in Albuquerque as the program starts the healing process to work through the tragic senseless incident that involved one of their own. A statement by the University of New Mexico said counseling services will be on hand to all students as they need them.
