Kenneth Perez Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder in House Party Shooting

Las Cruces, NM – The Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced that Kenneth Perez, 17, pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder for the shooting death of 21-year-old Lance Chavez during a house party.

During a change-of-plea hearing Monday, Perez also pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for shooting three other teenagers during the incident.

On November 15, 2025, a fight broke out at a house party on the 2400 block of Bugatti. During the fight, Perez, who was 16 years old at the time, fired several rounds, striking four people, including Lance Chavez.

Lance Chavez was shot approximately eight times.  Las Cruces Police Officers and Las Cruces Fire Department personnel performed CPR at the scene, but Lance Chavez was pronounced dead.

The three other victims were treated at the hospital for gunshot wounds and later released.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place in approximately 90 days. Before sentencing, the court will conduct an amenability hearing to determine whether Perez is amenable to treatment or rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system or should be sentenced as an adult. The District Attorney’s Office is seeking a 27-year adult sentence.

The Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office is committed to holding young people accountable when they commit serious acts of violence while pursuing justice for victims and their families.