Man Arrested after School Threat

Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11:21 AM

No weapons were located on the suspect and he was arrested and charged with assault upon a school employee, unlawful shooting threats, disorderly conduct, and interference with members of staff or the general public.

From Farmington Police:

Friday, August 22, 2025

On August 21, 2025, at approximately 9:15 a.m., Farmington Police officers were dispatched to McKinley Elementary School after staff reported an adult male, identified as Ernest Begay Jr.(45), threatened to shoot a teacher at the school’s front entrance. The school immediately went into lockdown.

No weapons were located on Mr. Begay. He was arrested and charged with assault upon a school employee, unlawful shooting threats, disorderly conduct, and interference with members of staff or the general public.

The Farmington Police Department commends the quick actions of school staff to ensure the safety of students and employees.

More from Local News

Racing Commission Approves SunRay Move to Clovis

The move will not affect the 2026 racing season in San Juan County. Live racing is scheduled for April 17 – May 24, 2026. San Juan County has previously said that McGee Park and the San Juan County Fairgrounds would not be impacted by any changes at the casino and horse racing track.
*Update* Arrest Made in Child's Death

The suspect, John Hannon, the child’s father, was arrested on 2/9/26 on unrelated charges. He was served with the following charges while at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center:
90 Dogs Rescued in Bloomfield

The rescue effort also received substantial financial support, from various donors. This outside support significantly reduced the financial impact on local resources and ensured the operation did not place a major burden on San Juan County taxpayers.
Resident Dies after House Fire N. of Aztec

Crews arrived to find a structure on fire and the occupant inside. Despite a quick response from fire crews and efforts by San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputies, one occupant was removed from the structure by firefighters and transported to the hospital by San Juan Regional Medical Center EMS. The occupant was pronounced dead at the hospital.
500 Drone Show set for Snowdown Parade Finale Jan. 30th

Music in the Mountains will partner with Durango Snowdown to present a dazzling 500-drone aerial show during the Snowdown Light Parade on Friday, January 30, at 6:00 PM sharp. This will be the largest drone show Durango has ever presented, transforming the winter night into a spectacular canvas of light, artistry, and imagination.
Diné College Selects New President

Dr. Jackson-Dennison, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation (Diné), brings nearly four decades of experience in educational leadership, with a career dedicated to advancing Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and academic excellence. Her leadership reflects a unique ability to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems with Western academic frameworks, a hallmark of her scholarship and professional practice.