Bowling Alley Case, now 30 Years Old, Remains Unsolved
Feb. 10 marks the 30-year anniversary of the heinous shooting of four children and three adults at a Las Cruces bowling alley that resulted in the deaths of five of the victims.
The case remains unsolved, but Las Cruces police continue to follow multiple leads and reexamine evidence using new techniques.
The mass-shooting at Las Cruces Bowl, on Feb. 10, 1990, is considered one of the most heinous crimes in the city’s history as gunmen pulled the trigger on three adults and four children ages 13, 12, 6 and 2. The father of the two youngest victims was also killed in the massacre.
About 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, 1990, police were dispatched to what was then known as Las Cruces Bowl, at 1201 E. Amador Ave., where the four children and three adults were found shot execution-style.
Once inside the bowling alley, officers found three victims already dead: 26-year-old Steven Teran, his 6-year-old daughter Paula Holguin and 13-year-old Amy Hauser. Steven Teran’s 2-year-old daughter, Valerie Teran, was rushed to a local hospital but died shortly after arrival.
Wounded during the shooting were 12-year-old Melissia Repass, her mother Stephanie Senac, 34, and 33-year-old Ida Holguin who was no relation to Paula. They were transported to area hospitals and survived. Senac, however, died several years later from complications related to her injuries.
Melissia Repass, a 12-year-old suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, is the victim who heroically called 911 to alert authorities to the crime.
Investigators believe the suspects stole an estimated $5,000 in cash from the business before setting fire to the office in what was believed to be an attempt to destroy evidence. Investigators believe the suspects are Hispanic with dark complexions. Both suspects spoke fluent English.
For the 30-year anniversary of the case, Las Cruces Crime Stoppers has announced a $30,000 reward for information that helps identify the men responsible for the mass-shooting. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be provided online at NMCrimeStoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers app, “P3 TIPS.” The app is available through the App Store on most devices.
