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 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.