Good afternoon Lobos –

While we are still reeling from the tragic shooting death of Michael Lamotte on our campus early Friday morning, and grateful that the individual suspected of the crime was apprehended later that day, the pain and trauma we are experiencing, both as individuals and as a community, cannot be overstated. I know that words alone cannot heal the sorrow we feel, nor can they erase the shock of this event. But in difficult times, communication matters. You can expect to hear not only from me, but from numerous members of our supportive Lobo family across the campus who are here to care for your well-being and success at UNM.

Over the past few days, it has been heartening to see how our community has supported one another, cared for those most affected, and reached out to each other for connection. I am deeply grateful to all our first responders, UNM staff, and local and state officials for their decisive and compassionate actions in keeping UNM safe. The frequent LoboAlert updates kept our community and the public informed, providing valuable guidance during an active State Police investigation, during which we were often limited in what could be shared.

And to our incoming students and their families who participated in orientation activities that day: thank you for your trust and patience as we navigated this situation. I know that our New Student Orientation (NSO) team has been in touch with you to provide resources and information to help make your transition to UNM successful.

The emotions we feel—grief, anger, fear—will not dissipate overnight. It will take patience and collective care to move forward. I am committed to maintaining open channels for honest conversation, whether through campus communications, in small-group dialogues, or day-to-day discussions with students, faculty, staff, and local partners. I urge you to keep reaching out—to ask for help when you need it, to offer support, and to use the resources we have in place to keep you safe and well.

There is also work to do, especially with students moving into our residence halls within the next two weeks. We are reviewing every aspect of campus safety, with a particular focus on these spaces. As a university with more than 2,000 residents living in on-campus housing, we are considering how to responsibly manage access to our residence halls—spaces that our students rightly see as their homes—while ensuring they continue to enjoy the full benefits of living on campus.

We know that gun violence continues to be a national public health crisis and is a systemic issue within our community. Both UNM policies and New Mexico state law clearly prohibit the carrying of guns and other weapons on our campuses. I cannot emphasize enough that anyone, aside from those with authorized exceptions, found to be carrying weapons on campus will face disciplinary consequences and may also face criminal charges, as appropriate under law.

Finally, we must remember the unique spirit of our campus is one rooted in belonging, openness, and shared responsibility. Moving forward will require a thoughtful, comprehensive vision—one that includes your voices, experiences, and needs.