Real Crime/Paranormal/Conspiracy Theories Book III

Las Cruces Bowling Alley Massacre

The Las Cruces bowling alleymassacre occurred in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on February 10,1990. Seven people were shot, four fatally, by two unidentifiedrobbers at the Las Cruces Bowl at 1201 East Amador Avenue. The gunmenshot the victims in an office, then set fire to a desk in the roomand left the scene. The case is currently unsolved.

Shooting

On the morning of February 10, 1990,the bowling alley's manager, 34-year-old Stephanie C. Senac, was inher office preparing to open the business with her 12-year-olddaughter Melissa Repass and Melissa's 13-year-old friend Amy Houser,who were planning to supervise the alley's day care. The alley'scook, Ida Holguin, was in the kitchen when two men entered through anunlocked door. One pulled a .22 caliber pistol on Holguin and orderedher into Senac's office, where she, Repass, and Houser were alreadybeing held by the other gunman.

The gunmen ordered the women andchildren to lie down while taking approximately $4,000 to $5,000 fromthe bowling alley's safe. Soon after, Steve Teran, the alley's26-year-old pin mechanic, entered. As Teran had been unable to find ababysitter for his two daughters—two-year-old Valerie Teran andsix-year-old Paula Holguin (no relation to Ida)—he intended to dropthem off at the alley's day care. Not seeing anyone in the alley,Teran entered Senac's office and stumbled onto the crime scene. Thegunmen then shot all seven victims multiple times at point-blankrange. They then set the office on fire by igniting some papersbefore leaving the alley.

The bowling alley fire was reported at8:33 am. Officers responding to the call discovered that Amy Houser,Paula Holguin, and Steven Teran had died at the scene. Valerie Teranwas rushed to a hospital, but declared dead on arrival. Repass,despite being shot five times, called 9-1-1 on the office phone,allowing emergency services to respond immediately and saving herlife along with her mother's and Ida Holguin's. However, Senac diedin 1999 due to complications from her injuries.

Police set up ten roadblockssurrounding Las Cruces within an hour of the shooting, and carefullyscreened anyone leaving the city. The U.S. Customs Service, Army andBorder Patrol searched the area with planes and helicopters, but noarrests were made.

Investigation

The event remains unsolved, but isstill under active investigation by the Las Cruces Police Departmentas of 2015.

In 2016, 26 years after the shooting, abrother of victim Steven Teran (who died in the shooting), AnthonyTeran, was included in an issue of the Las Cruces Sun-News newspaperand one of his remarks was noted, "In this day and age,things like this don't go unsolved. How did we not get these guys?That's the question I ask myself every day. Numerous people sawthese gunmen, so someone out there knows something, and they need tocome forward."

In popular culture

Movies

A full-length documentary film called ANightmare in Las Cruces was released on the 20th anniversary of themassacre. It uses actual crime scene video, pictures and interviewswith family members. Filmmaker Charlie Minn hopes it will "movesomeone to come forward with fresh information and break the case." Since its release, more tips have been reported to the localpolice.

The event is also referenced in OddThomas (2013).

TV crime informational series

This case was featured on UnsolvedMysteries two and a half months after the murders, and on America'sMost Wanted twice, once in November 2004 and again in March 2010.