Four other victims had been treated and released, Mr Daniels said.

"Today we mourn a tragic, a senseless, a horrible event that happened in our city last night," said Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez.

"There's no place for violence like this in our community, and we will continue to work tirelessly to make our community safe," he said.

Police responded to reports of gunfire and potential gunshot victims near the parking lot about 22:00 local time.

Bystanders had already started administering treatment, Story said, and fire department officials began to treat victims before the scene was fully secured.

Local emergency officials, as well as individuals from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, responded to the shooting, Enriquez said.

The New York Times reported that the event was a monthly gathering for modified sports car enthusiasts.

Mr Story told the press that the car shows had become "an issue".

The police chief said that firearms had been present at the car gathering. He said that some were "used in the shooting", but that other people at the park that night were carrying firearms that were not involved in the incident.