On February 10, 1990, a horrific incident occurred at the Las Cruces Bowl in Las Cruces, New Mexico, which would become known as the Las Cruces Bowling Alley Massacre. On that morning, 34-year-old Stephanie C. Senac, the manager of the bowling alley, was in her office preparing to open for the day. She was accompanied by her 12-year-old daughter, Melissa Repass, and Melissa's 13-year-old friend, Amy Houser.
Ida Holguin, the alley's cook, was in the kitchen when two men entered through an unlocked door. One of the gunmen pulled a. 22-caliber pistol on Holguin and ordered her into Senac's office, where she, Repass, and Houser were already being held by the other gunman.
Soon after, Steve Teran, the 26-year-old mechanic at the bowling alley, entered the office with his two daughters, two-year-old Valerie Teran and six-year-old Paula Holguin. Upon entering the office, Teran stumbled into the crime scene, and the gunmen then shot all seven victims multiple times in the head at point-blank range. The suspects subsequently set the office on fire by igniting some papers before fleeing the scene. Despite being shot five times, Melissa Repass managed to call 911, which allowed emergency services to respond immediately and save her life, along with her mother's and Holguin's. However, Amy Houser, Steve Teran, and his two daughters were killed in the attack. Valerie Teran died shortly after at the hospital.
Stephanie C. Senac did not die immediately from her injuries on February 10, 1990. Instead, she survived the initial attack but succumbed to complications from her injuries nearly nine years later, in 1999.
The investigation into the massacre has been ongoing for over three decades, but it remains unsolved. The suspects were described as two Hispanic men with dark complexions who spoke English clearly. The older suspect was believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a medium build, weighing between 160 and 180 pounds. The younger suspect was thought to be in his late 20s, between 5 feet 6 and 5 feet 8 inches tall, also with a medium build, weighing about 190 pounds.
Despite numerous leads and theories, no arrests have been made in connection with the Las Cruces Bowling Alley Massacre. Investigators have considered various motives, including the possibility of a robbery, a drug-related payback, or even a mob hit. However, none of these theories have been conclusively proven. The case continues to be actively investigated by the Las Cruces Police Department, with Detective Amador Martinez having been involved in the case for several years. The police department and Crime Stoppers continue to seek any information that might lead to the identification and apprehension of the suspects.
The incident has left a lasting impact on the community of Las Cruces, and it remains a poignant reminder of the tragedy that occurred on that cold February morning. The families of the victims and the community continue to hope for justice, and the police department remains committed to solving the case.
