On November 19, 1999, 13-year-old Araceli Ara Tena was shot and killed in the lobby of Deming Middle School in Deming, New Mexico. A 12-year-old classmate, Victor Cordova Jr., fired the shot that struck Araceli in the back of the head. Cordova later said the shooting was accidental and that he had intended to commit suicide rather than harm anyone else.

The case focused on Cordova as the sole suspect and raised difficult questions about how the juvenile justice system handles very young offenders. Araceli’s death deeply affected the community and underscored concerns about safety and mental health in schools.

If anyone knew Araceli or was at Deming Middle School that day, any recollections could be important.