One person hospitalized with serious injuries

ALAMOSA — An altercation at Cole Park on Thursday night resulted in three males – a 22-year-old and two 17-year-olds – suffering knife wounds. The wounds were the result of an altercation that occurred shortly after Carnival on the Rio, a 4-day event sponsored by the City of Alamosa, had closed for the night.  

As described in a press release sent out by the City of Alamosa on Friday morning, shortly after 10 p.m. on Thursday night, the Alamosa Police Department was notified of a disturbance at Cole Park.

When APD officers arrived on the scene, they found a 22-year-old Alamosa man who had been stabbed. They also found a 17-year-old juvenile with a cut on his hand.

Officers were later notified by local hospital staff that a second 17-year-old, also with a stab wound, had been transported to the hospital by private vehicle.

A subsequent investigation by detectives and officers determined the teens had a history of disagreement, which led to the initial altercation. During the altercation, one of the teens produced a knife and stabbed the other teen and the 22-year-old man.

It is unknown at this time what the involvement of the 22-year-old man was during this incident. Detectives continue to interview witnesses and suspect(s) and will confer with the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office on appropriate charges for those involved.

In its press release, the city stated the carnival organizer had hired private security for the event, but this incident took place when the carnival had shut down.

Police and city Parks and Recreation staff met with carnival organizers on Friday morning to ensure adequate and increased security would be present for the remaining three days of the carnival. In addition, APD will increase patrols during the event as calls for service allow.

The 22-year-old man, whose name was not released, sustained serious life-threatening injuries and was listed in stable condition at San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center. The two teens, who were not named due to their age, sustained injuries and were treated and released.

This is an isolated incident involving people known to each other and was not a random act of violence. This is also an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

This is the second year in a row that there has been a violent incident at Carnival on the Rio in Cole Park after the carnival had closed down for the night.