The investigation by the Farmington Fire Department in conjunction with the assistance of the San Juan County Fire Department and the Farmington Police Department has determined the fire was intentionally set, causing significant damage to the church. The investigation remains ongoing in an attempt to identify and arrest subject(s) responsible for the fire.
From the U.S Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for a fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Farmington, New Mexico.
During the morning hours of June 1, 2019, unknown subject(s) arrived at the church located at 400 West Apache St. in Farmington, NM. Shortly after, the alarm company for the church reported a fire. Local fire municipalities responded within several minutes and commenced suppression activities. The investigation by the Farmington Fire Department in conjunction with the assistance of the San Juan County Fire Department and the Farmington Police Department has determined the fire was intentionally set, causing significant damage to the church. The investigation remains ongoing in an attempt to identify and arrest subject(s) responsible for the fire.
Anyone with information on the fire should call the San Juan County Crime stoppers at sjccrimestoppers.org or 505-334-8477, or call the ATF 24/7 toll-free hotline at 888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to ATF using the Report it app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store or by visiting www.reportit.com (link is external) using the Phoenix field division as the location.
The governor’s visit was carefully scheduled to give first responders, law enforcement and emergency vehicles ample time to complete rescues and other emergency work during the flooding. Now that the floodwaters are receding and initial damage assessments are underway, the Governor will survey the disaster zone and work to get families the help they need.
Bloomfield Residents and businesses: please minimize water use until further notice. Postpone laundry and dishwasher use, keep showers brief, and reduce toilet flushing when practical and sanitary. Every reduction helps limit wastewater entering the river.
The district has worked with the Lower Valley Water Users Association on the testing needed to lift the boil water notice. Because of the number of tests required, the district has decided to keep students on remote learning as a precaution for their well-being. If test results come back early, the district must still follow processes and protocols to flush and clear the water lines at each school before in-person instruction can resume. Safety is our top priority for the well-being of our Kirtland students.
Water Samples taken from the Lower Valley Water Association system have tested negative for e-coli. The Boil Water notice has been lifted for customers.
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.