Suspect Hospitalized, Officers on Leave after Downtown Shooting

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 8:49 PM

Farmington Police have placed the four officers involved on leave, which is normal for cases such as this. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation into the shooting. The suspect's name has not yet been released.

May 11, 2021

From Farmington Police;

Numerous 911 calls were made yesterday regarding a male shooting a gun in downtown Farmington. The calls came in around 2:23 p.m. from witnesses in the area who heard shots and saw two men walking, one had a gun. Officers followed leads as they were being reported and found spent bullet casings and an empty ammunition box where the suspects were reported to have been seen. Officers also viewed security camera footage at a business and saw two men who matched the descriptions reported and were able to get screenshots showing identifiers. A shelter in place was issued for public safety. Another 911 call came in around 4:15 p.m. reporting shots heard in the area of the 100 block of W. Animas St. The officers made contact with the subjects, one male pointed a gun at and walked towards one of the officers, and four officers fired. Officers immediately rendered aid to the man and called for paramedics. He was transported to the San Juan Regional Medical Center and eventually to Albuquerque, where he is currently being treated. There were no other injuries at the scene. The four officers are on administrative leave, which is the routine procedure of the Farmington Police Department.

The incident remains under investigation, and further information will be provided as it becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, the primary investigating agency, at 505-334-6107.

The Farmington Police Department would like to thank the public for their vigilance and swift reporting. We’d also like to thank the businesses that were quick to provide video as we worked to locate the suspects and keep our community safe.

Statement from FPD Chief Hebbe:

More from Local News

Lauren Laws Named Interim Superintendent for Aztec Schools

For 15 years, Lauren Laws has dedicated her career to Aztec Schools, beginning as a Special Education teacher in 2008. In 2010 she transitioned to General Education, where she spent six years in the classroom working with 4th and 5th graders at Park Avenue Elementary while completing work on her Master's Degree. During her tenure at Park Avenue Elementary, she also served a Lead Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Lauren has spent the past three years serving as the Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for the district.
Durango Picks Brice Current to be New Police Chief

Brice Current was a former narcotics agent with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office in Aztec, NM. He was hired as Durango's Deputy Police Chief in 2019.
Waterflow Fire Kills 1

Crews arrived to find a camp trailer on fire and one occupant still inside. Another occupant was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and has since been released. Despite a quick response from fire crews, one occupant was found dead in the trailer after the fire was extinguished. The name of the deceased is not yet released.
Farmington Schools Hires first Armed Campus Safety Monitor

The FMS Board of Education authorized school security personnel to carry firearms on school premises during their January 9, 2024, meeting. The move paved the way for the hiring of Armed Campus Safety Monitors (ACSMs), former certified law enforcement officers tasked with providing an additional layer of protection for students and staff during emergencies.
City Breaks Ground on Pinon Hills Extension

Farmington Officials gathered with representatives from the NM Department of Transportation and San Juan County to break ground on the long-anticipated Pinon Hills Boulevard Extension Project. San Juan County announced that design work on their section of the project is 90% completed.
Back to Bloomfield: Summers Selected as New Superintendent

Kevin Summers will be returning to the Bloomfield School District as Superintendent, after the retirement of Dr. Kim Mizell at the end of the current school year. Summers' hire makes an opening in the Superintendent's Office in Aztec where he has served for the past three years.