A Farmington man is facing four felony charges for reportedly shooting his two daughters multiple times.
Daniel Douglass, 50, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony, child abuse, a third-degree felony, and one count of aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony.
The charges are in connection to an alleged domestic dispute over the custody of Douglass’ 9-year-old granddaughter.
Douglass reportedly admitted to the shootings, when San Juan County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a “shots fired” call at 5 p.m. Aug. 30 at home on County Road 8501, according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
Douglass told investigators that he had custody of his granddaughter and his daughters Sara Ocano and Daniese Douglass were attempting to “kidnap” her, the affidavit states.
Douglass stated that his daughters had “criminal” records and he believed them to be armed, the affidavit states.
Douglass also has a criminal record dating 1999. His charges include aggravated DWI, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and using a telephone to harass, according to court documents.
Daniese, who lives in Colorado, told police she made plans to come and get her daughter from Douglass, because she and her fiancé, Samuel Sinnig, were going to get a house together and provide the child with her own room, according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
Her sister Sara Ocano arrived at the home first and was attempting to gain access, according to the affidavit.
Douglass reportedly told police that Ocano was “verbally threatening” him and “cut his power” around noon and then “tormented him for four hours,” the affidavit says.
During this time, Douglass alleged that his granddaughter told him to “‘kill mom’ to keep her safe,” according to the affidavit.
He stated to police that Daniese broke into the home through a window and then, “reached toward her waistband,” which he claimed made him believe she had a gun, the affidavit says.
Daniese, however, stated that the trailer her father was in, belonged to her and she came in through the back door and was immediately fired upon, according to the affidavit.
Douglass allegedly fired his gun 20 times, hitting Daniese five times in her right shoulder and once in the hand, the affidavit states.
He reportedly shot Ocano 10 times, causing “life-threatening injuries.” She was flown to University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit.
Sinnig also was fired upon, but reportedly was not injured, the affidavit says.
Douglass told police “he felt in imminent danger” and saw Sinnig “holding a silver handgun,” according to the affidavit.
Daniese alleged her father “was anti-government, and (she) believed him to be crazy,” the affidavit states.
She also stated that she “expected a physical altercation” with Douglass, but she did not expect him to shoot her or her sister, the affidavit says.
Douglass was arrested on an outstanding warrant for reportedly threatening “to shoot” the receptionist at the jail, during an Oct. 31 telephone conversation, according to court records.
Douglass was booked into the San Juan County Detention Center, but on Sept. 3, Magistrate Stanley King ordered his release, according to court records.
Judge King also signed a protection order requiring Douglass to have “no contact” with his daughters, his granddaughter and Sinnig.
A preliminary hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 in Farmington Magistrate Court.
