Police: Argument Leads to Fatal Shooting

While investigating, detectives found that Scott and Zach Reid approached 26-year-old Darien Hoffman as he returned home in his vehicle, and the men began arguing. The argument turned physical, and Hoffman attempted to drive away, injuring Scott Reid in the process. Zach Reid then approached Hoffman’s car resulting in shots being fired. Scott Reid was later transported to SJRMC by paramedics and treated for his injuries.

From Farmington Police

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Farmington detectives are investigating a shooting over the weekend near the 1200 block of Randolph Avenue.


Around 11:16 am, officers responded to reports of a shooting involving three men. Officers arrived on scene to find one man, later identified as 20-year-old Zachary Reid, with a gunshot wound. Paramedics transported Mr. Reid to San Juan Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. Officers contacted one of the reporting parties, later identified as 26-year-old Darien Hoffman, and the third man involved in the altercation, 56-year-old Ellsworth “Scott” Reid.

While investigating, detectives found that Scott and Zach Reid approached Hoffman as he returned home in his vehicle, and the men began arguing. The argument turned physical, and Hoffman attempted to drive away, injuring Scott Reid in the process. Zach Reid then approached Hoffman’s car resulting in shots being fired. Scott was later transported to SJRMC by paramedics and treated for his injuries.


The investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released when available. 

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.

  • 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.

  • Fort Lewis College Seeks New President/Interim President Named

    Fort Lewis College President Tom Stritikus is stepping down to become the President at Occidental College, a four-year liberal arts college in Los Angeles, Calif.  Steven Schwartz, Fort Lewis College’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, will serve as interim president effective May 6.    He will leave after this year’s Spring Commencement scheduled for Saturday, May 4.  

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 66°F | Low: 39°F

  • Durango, CO

    Thundery shower

    High: 61°F | Low: 37°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Heavy rain shower

    High: 70°F | Low: 41°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Thundery shower

    High: 61°F | Low: 36°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 64°F | Low: 37°F