LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Las Cruces community is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic shooting that occurred Friday night, prompting a wave of grief and calls for action from local and state officials. A vigil held at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library underscored the community’s sorrow.

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New Mexico State Senator Crystal Brantley expressed a sense of helplessness, even at the state capital.

“We need to make sure that guns are prevented from getting in the hands of youthful offenders of criminal and especially violent people in the street,” said Brantley. She emphasized the need for the legislature to invest more in law enforcement and called for increased recruitment and retention of police officers to ensure public safety.

Dona Ana County Commissioner Shannon Reynolds highlighted staffing issues as a factor in the lack of police presence at the car meet-up where the shooting occurred. “We don’t have enough police on staff to actually fully staff people in situations like this to prevent some of these problems,” said Reynolds.

Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story addressed staffing levels at a news conference, stating, “In a perfect world where I had 220 police officers like I was supposed to, they probably lived in different last night, but I had no units available for most of the night prior to the shooting.”

Reynolds also suggested young criminals engage face-to-face with the people affected by their crimes as a way to show them that their actions have consequences

“By using mediation, getting the juveniles in front of the victims that they’re actually perpetrating, then it allows them to understand it’s not a victimless crime,” said Reynolds.

In the wake of the tragedy, community members have rallied to support those affected.

Silvia Cuen, managing partner at Bubba’s 33, a local pizza place, has been actively helping.

“So we hear about the shooting at night, like we heartbroken,” said Cuen. “We hear about that, we came to the police station and bring them like some from our store. Like pizzas. We go to the hospitals, we’re trying to help the community and help the nurse that is helping all the people that is injured and are taking care of them.”

Cuen emphasized her commitment to supporting the community, saying, “So this is the way for us to tell them we are with them 100% whatever they need. More with the people who have already passed, the families, we want to support them.”

RELATED: 3 dead, 15 injured following mass-shooting at Las Cruces park during car show

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