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.
The New Mexico Department of Justice has investigated fuel prices in San Juan County under prior Attorneys General. Investigations were inconclusive, but there was relief at the pump for a brief period. “We just want to be assured that San Juan County is paying what’s fair at the pump,” said Commissioner Lanier. “With limited competition between brands, it is worth checking out.”
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting and located 18-year-old Elihue Vialpando, who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. A second victim, Jack Chavez, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center for treatment. Witness statements revealed Vialpando brandished a pistol and fired rounds earlier in the night, but based on the timeline of events and witness statements, did not support actions by Thomas Vigil.
The suspect escaped during Sunday afternoon church services. He asked to go to the bathroom and never returned, immediately initiating a count and search of the facility.
This is the first escape in the 31-year history of the jail-based treatment center.
Earlier this week, Jacob Marriott was sentenced after pleading guilty to 4 counts of Manufacturing of Child Pornography (2nd Degree Felony), 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography (4th Degree Felony), and 2 counts of Voyeurism of a Child Under 18 (3rd Degree Felony).
We'll be updating this page with results throughout the evening on Tuesday, June 2, 2026:
These are the unofficial results of the contested NM Primary races in San Juan County on June 2, 2026:
The program features either unusual repertoire that deserves a wider public distribution, or performances unique in their interpretive profile, sense of commitment.