The initial call was received at 5:23 AM. The individual was identified from video surveillance. The male was contacted by Durango Police Department Patrol and is now in custody. He has been identified as Joe Brinkerhoff, a resident of the City of Durango. Due to a prior incident, Joe Brinkerhoff was trespassed from the property and his Rec Center privileges were suspended.
From the Durango Police Dept.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
On April 2, 2025, at approximately 12:40 AM, an individual fired a firearm into a front facing window of the Durango Recreation Center causing significant damage including the destruction of that front entry window. The damage was discovered by Durango Rec Center employees upon opening the Rec Center this morning for business.
The initial call was received at 5:23 AM. The individual was identified from video surveillance. The male was contacted by Durango Police Department Patrol and is now in custody. He has been identified as Joe Brinkerhoff, a resident of the City of Durango. Due to a prior incident, Joe Brinkerhoff was trespassed from the property and his Rec Center privileges were suspended.
This is an on-going investigation. There is no further danger to the public. Regarding the facility updates of the Recreation Center, the lap pool remains open; however, the hot tub and leisure pool are closed until further notice.
We want to thank our graveyard shift patrol team for their swift identification and safe apprehension of the suspect. We also thank the Durango Recreation Center staff for their prompt reporting, cooperation, and assistance in helping to identify the individual involved.
Shortly after the state issued this advisory for the entire Lower Valley Water Users Association, the association posted that the boil water advisory was limited to just one County Road. However, they have since removed that notice, and we have now seen that the Upper LaPlata Water Users Association has issued a boil water advisory for its members, and several schools in the Central Consolidated School District will be on remote learning schedules on Monday, October 19, 2026 (details below).
Through the course of the investigation, detectives discovered that Lauren Patterson’s husband, Jess Patterson, had previously resided in California and had been arrested at least 6 times for domestic violence in that state and had been arrested in July 2026 in New Mexico for battering Ms. Patterson. An autopsy revealed Ms. Patterson suffered multiple broken bones, bruising, and internal injuries.
The meeting will be held from 6=8 p.m. on Wednesday, October, 21, 2026. Participants are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time via an online submission form at farmingtonnm.gov/data-center. City staff will organize these inputs to ensure the most frequently asked questions are directly addressed during the main presentation.
Arizona Public Service (APS) has announced it's decision to extend the operation of the Four Corners Power Plant (FCPP) beyond 2031. Navajo Transitional Energy Company's Navajo Mine provides the necessary coal for the operation of the plant and is positioned to meet the needs of FCPP well into the future.
Deputies made multiple commands to stop and drop the knife, however, the suspect ignored the commands and continued moving towards the deputies with the knife. A deputy discharged his sidearm, striking the suspect.
Immediate life-saving aid was rendered to the suspect, but he ultimately died at the scene. The Farmington Police Department is leading the investigation.
On April 2, 2025, at approximately 12:40 AM, an individual fired a firearm into a front facing window of the Durango Recreation Center causing significant damage including the destruction of that front entry window. The damage was discovered by Durango Rec Center employees upon opening the Rec Center this morning for business.
*UPDATE* Boil Water Advisory Issued for Lower Valley Water Users
Woman's Husband Arrested for Kirtland Killing
Farmington to host Public Meeting on Data Centers
APS Extends Life of Four Corners Power Plant
Three Die in Newcomb area Flood
