Video of fatal shooting involving NMSU basketball player released; external inquiry set
LAS CRUCES ‒ New Mexico State has hired an independent, external investigator to look into a deadly shooting involving player Mike Peake and allegations that a gun involved was taken away from the scene by teammates.
The move came a day after a report from Albuquerque TV station Channel 7-KOAT alleged members of the New Mexico State basketball team might have taken evidence away from the scene of the shootout last month at the University of New Mexico campus. NMSU officials announced Tuesday that the university will conduct an independent investigation.
NMSU has hired an external investigator to look into the Nov. 19 shooting, according to a news release the university sent out Tuesday. New Mexico State did not name the external investigator but said that information will be released when there is a contract in place.
"We will be incredibly transparent during this process,” NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu said in a statement. “We owe that to our community and to everyone associated with our university. The firm selected will be encouraged to review any public documents regarding this case and be fully empowered to speak with any NMSU employees, students or other individuals necessary to ensure we fully understand the facts.
"If there is anything we should have done differently, this report will let us know. In the last day, we have received a number of new questions regarding this case. Unfortunately, some of what’s been reported in the media is information NMSU has not been provided,” Arvizu said. “To be fair to all involved, it’s important to have a more detailed understanding of what has occurred.”
ICYMI: #New surveillance video from @NMStatePolice shows last month's deadly shootout between suspended #NMSU basketball player Mike Peake and 19 y/o #UNM student Brandon Travis. Investigators released more, including interviews with coaches, and the search for the gun involved. pic.twitter.com/hFLS29wfJc
— Giuli Frendak (@gfrendakKOB) December 7, 2022
The report from New Mexico State Police, obtained by KOAT, stated police have video showing three of Peake's teammates arriving at the scene before police and that Peake placed a gun and other items in the trunk of a Chevy Camaro before the teammates drive off. Police recovered the gun from an NMSU assistant coach at an Albuquerque hotel later in the day, the report stated.
The Las Cruces Sun-New has not yet obtained the police documents cited in KOAT's report, which stated that Peake is seen on video after the shooting, meeting teammates Issa Muhammad, Marchelus Avery and Anthony Roy, who arrive in a Camaro. Peake places items in the trunk of the vehicle, which speeds away before police get to the scene.
NMSU athletics director Mario Moccia said Monday that the entire team and coaching staff would travel on Tuesday as the Aggies have a three-game road trip over the next week. However, on Tuesday, NMSU revealed that Roy did not travel on Tuesday due to "personal reasons."
Police have stated UNM student Brandon Travis and three others lured Peake to the UNM campus about 3 a.m. Nov. 19. Following an altercation, Travis shot at Peake. Peake shot back, killing Travis, 19. Police have said Peake was shot in the leg.
On Monday, New Mexico State Athletics Director Mario Moccia announced Peake, 21, had been suspended from the team. Peake brought a gun with him on the school bus to Albuquerque, a violation of university rules; left his hotel room after curfew, a violation of team rules; and had a firearm on a university campus, a possible misdemeanor in New Mexico.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Video of fatal shooting involving NMSU basketball player released
