New Mexico-New Mexico State game postponed after fatal shooting reportedly involving NMSU player

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - DECEMBER 14:  A general view shows a game between the New Mexico State Aggies and the New Mexico Lobos at Dreamstyle Arena - The Pit on December 14, 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Lobos defeated the Aggie 69-62.  (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
A New Mexico-New Mexico State basketball game has been postponed under tragic circumstances. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) (Sam Wasson via Getty Images)

A men's basketball game between rivals New Mexico and New Mexico State was postponed Saturday after a fatal shooting on the New Mexico campus that reportedly involved NMSU forward Mike Peake.

According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, New Mexico State Police stated there had been an altercation between a 19-year-old male and a 21-year-old male around 3 a.m. Saturday morning, with both receiving gunshot wounds.

The 19-year-old was reportedly pronounced dead on the scene, while the 21-year-old was transported to an area hospital. Police reportedly confirmed the 19-year-old to be a New Mexico student and the 21-year-old to be a New Mexico State student.

The Sun-News identified Peake, a junior, as that New Mexico State student. His physical condition remains unclear.

Peake is one of only two members of the NMSU men's basketball team who returned from last year's roster. He had seen stints at Georgia and Austin Peay before landing with NMSU in 2021, and mostly came off the bench for the Aggies last season. He has started both games this season, posting 18 points and seven rebounds in 41 minutes.

The game, a home contest for New Mexico, was initially scheduled for 5 p.m. local time, but the two schools released a joint statement announcing the game would be moved to a later date in light of "the tragic incident" in Albuquerque.

The two teams are already scheduled to play again on Dec. 3 at New Mexico State's campus.

The incident, less than a week after the tragic on-campus shooting involving members of the Virginia football team, drew the attention of New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:

The Sun-News also reports a bus transporting the New Mexico State players back to Las Cruces was stopped by New Mexico State Police. A police spokesperson reportedly said the bus was stopped "as part of the ongoing investigation into the homicide at UNM" and has since been released.

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