Suspect Identified in Officer Involved Shooting

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Lamar Light of Albuquerque, NM. is currently under 24-hour surveillance at UNM Hospital until he can be transported back to San Juan County to be booked on his charges of aggravated assault on a police officer (deadly weapon), aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident knowingly (death or great bodily harm), receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, three counts of criminal damage to property, and driving on a suspended or revoked license.

From San Juan County Sheriff's Office:

May 21, 2019

On May 18, 2019, at 10:33am, a deputy with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle traveling at a recklessly high rate of speed in the Kirtland area. The deputy pursued the vehicle until it approached the west Farmington city limits, at which time the deputy terminated the pursuit given the apparent danger to the commuting public.

The driver continued through the city, running red lights and nearly causing several crashes.  The vehicle was eventually reported to be on the Bloomfield Hwy, continuing its dangerous driving. Farmington Police Department had an officer in the area assisting with the search of the vehicle. The suspect was then reported to have struck multiple vehicles and construction material on US 64 near Andrea Drive. The Farmington Officer was the first on scene and witnesses pointed to the driver of the vehicle, who was out of the car and on the other side of a construction barrier attempting to flee. As the officer approached and began giving orders to the suspect, the suspect turned and began advancing on the officer while holding a knife in his hand.  The officer began back stepping while ordering the subject to drop the knife.  After climbing over the barrier toward the officer and advancing several feet, the suspect then began to run at the officer with knife still in hand.

The officer then fired two rounds and the suspect fell to the ground. The officer rendered aid to the suspect before medics arrived and transported him to the San Juan Regional Medical Center.  He was eventually flown to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque for surgery.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Lamar Light of Albuquerque, NM. is currently under 24-hour surveillance at UNM Hospital until he can be transported back to San Juan County to be booked on his charges of aggravated assault on a police officer (deadly weapon), aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident knowingly (death or great bodily harm), receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, three counts of criminal damage to property, and driving on a suspended or revoked license. The investigation is ongoing and no further information regarding the shooting is available at this time. The Sheriff’s Office wants to thank all partnering law enforcement agencies for their assistance and cooperation during the investigation.

From Farmington Police:

May 18, 2019

A Farmington police officer was involved in a shooting this morning after making contact with an individual who was driving erratically. The incident started in the county near Kirtland where the suspect fled from sheriff’s deputies and continued into Farmington. Eventually the suspect struck multiple vehicles near Highway 64 and Andrea Drive and came to a stop. An FPD officer was first to arrive on scene. Witnesses pointed to the suspect who was attempting to flee on foot. The officer located the suspect, who reportedly brandished a knife and advanced toward the officer. The officer then discharged their firearm at the suspect and the suspect fell to the ground. Medics responded and the suspect was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center. The suspect was later flown to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque. No motorists were seriously injured in this incident.

The Farmington Police Department is cooperating with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police on this incident. Additional details will be released by the sheriff’s office as they are leading the shooting investigation.

Anyone with additional information about this incident should call non-emergency dispatch at (505) 334-6622 and request to speak with a San Juan County Sheriff’s Office detective.