Raul Alejandro Gonzalez (Courtesy: San Juan Co, Sheriff's Office)
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.
From the San Juan County Sheriff's Office
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
On Tuesday, 4/1/25 at approximately 3 pm, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office executed an arrest warrant against Raul Alejandro Gonzalez in relation to the March 30th shooting of Samuell Tariq Liggins. Raul Gonzalez was taken into custody on the following charges:
Murder in the 1st Degree
Tampering with Evidence (3rd Degree)
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Monday, March 31, 2025
On Sunday, 3/30/25 at approximately 2 am San Juan County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of road 3149/3150 in the Crouch Mesa area in reference to a victim of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.
.The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office offers our prayers and condolences to the family of Mr. Liggins. This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with any information is asked to contact our tip line at 505-333-7878.
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: