Farmington Man Arrested after Shots Fired

Taron Yazzie, 32, (Courtesy: Farmington Police Department)

Officers briefly spoke to the man, later identified as Taron Yazzie, before he retreated into the residence. To de-escalate the situation, officers backed away from the home.  A neighbor then reported a bullet hole through a side door and pantry door inside their home. Several additional neighbors began reporting that Yazzie was outside his house again firing a gun and yelling.

From Farmington Police:

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Farmington police arrested 32-year-old Taron Yazzie Sunday after neighbors reported he was firing a gun in his front yard. One of the rounds hit a neighbor’s house.

On February 7, 2021, around 1:35 p.m., officers responded to reports of a man shooting a gun in his yard at an address on Natane Ave. When officers arrived, no one was outside the house, so they attempted to contact the occupant through the intercom system in their patrol car. While officers were making announcements, the man came outside onto the front porch. Officers briefly spoke to the man, later identified as Yazzie, before he retreated into the residence. To de-escalate the situation, officers backed away from the home.  A neighbor then reported a bullet hole through a side door and pantry door inside their home. Several additional neighbors began reporting that Yazzie was outside his house again firing a gun and yelling. As the SWAT and negotiations teams responded, officers established a perimeter and directed people in homes nearby to shelter in place.  After some negotiations, Yazzie was taken into custody without incident. Yazzie was charged with one count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or occupied building (no injury), negligent use of a deadly weapon (discharging firearm near an inhabited building), and criminal damage to property (less than $1,000). 

Chief Hebbe released the following statement about the incident, “This was a good example of our officers working hard to de-escalate a critical situation. Time and distance matter in these situations. We’re very pleased this was resolved peacefully, and I’m very proud of the officers on scene.” 

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to call the Farmington PD tip line at 505-599-1068.

More from Local News

  • One Dead after RV Fire in Flora Vista

    Around 3:40 am, Sunday, November 9, San Juan County Fire & Rescue was dispatched to reports of a structure fire on Road 3546 in Flora Vista. San Juan County Fire & Rescue responded with mutual aid from the Bloomfield Fire Department.   Crews arrived to find an RV on fire and the occupant still inside.  Despite a quick response from fire crews, the RV was a total loss, and an occupant was found dead after the fire was extinguished.

  • Lanier Announces 2026 run for NM Governor

    In 2020, Lanier was elected to the San Juan County Commission, and in 2024, he was elected State Senator for New Mexico's 2nd District. 

  • 2025 General Election Results

    These are unofficial results from the contested races in the 2025 General Election held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025

  • Bus Service to Link Farmington to Durango, Albuquerque

    The need for the route was identified in the Statewide Public Transportation Plan and will run between Albuquerque, Farmington, Bernalillo, Cuba and into Durango, CO. The new service line will run five days a week, with one round trip each day, providing access to Navajo Transit and Red Apple Transit in Farmington.

  • Two Fatally Shot in Durango, Suspect Shoots Self

    Durango Police say that both victims from Monday night's shooting, Shelby Campbell (32) and Emma Sims (32),  have passed away from their injuries. The suspect, Bradley Campbell (32), remains on life support with a gunshot wound to the head.  Durango Police Detectives continue to investigate this incident, but there is no indication that anyone else was involved.

  • Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

    According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 50°F | Low: 27°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 46°F | Low: 21°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 50°F | Low: 28°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 52°F | Low: 28°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 52°F | Low: 34°F