FARMINGTON – The Farmington Police Department and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office were involved in a shooting Monday on West Murray Drive, which resulted in the death of the armed suspect.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office received a hang-up 911 call that was traced back to County Road 3939 in Farmington. Deputies arrived to find a woman who said her husband had kicked in the door and beat her with a handgun, according to a news release issued by the New Mexico State Police.
The armed suspect fled the scene in a green Ford Expedition with other passengers in the car. All area agencies were put on alert to look for the vehicle and suspect.
A San Juan County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw the vehicle on Bloomfield Highway but then lost sight of it. Another deputy and New Mexico State Police officer located the vehicle and attempted to do a traffic stop. The vehicle fled the stop and law enforcement began a pursuit of the suspect.
The vehicle stopped at a retirement center, at which point a male and a female got out of the Ford Explorer and were taken into custody without incident.
As officers gave commands to the people remaining in the vehicle, they saw the right front passenger point a gun at the driver.
“At that time, deputies from the SJCSO, officers from FPD and State Police fired at least one round striking the male suspect,” the release said.
Law enforcement told the remaining occupant of the vehicle to get out, and he did. When deputies approached the SUV, they saw the male suspect with a handgun and a knife in his lap.
The release said he “sustained fatal injuries,” while the other male occupant suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by EMS.
The names of the victim, officers, occupants and suspect have not been released.
mmitchell@durangoherald.com
