FPD Release Bodycam Footage of Officer Involved Shooting

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at 12:24 PM

Farmington Police Officer Joseph Barreto

The U.S. Marshals Service is now offering up to $10,000 for reliable information leading to the arrest of Elias Buck, and the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office is offering $5,000. To submit a tip, call 505-599-1068.

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

From Farmington Police:

The Farmington Police Department released video footage today of a shooting on January 7 on North Fairview Avenue that left one officer injured. Chief Steve Hebbe released the following statement about the incident, “The body camera footage displays how fast the situation turns dangerous for Officer Barreto with no warning and very little chance to react. He very easily could’ve been killed. Then, you see the professionalism with which Officer Barreto begins to direct the response. He is alerting other officers that he’s been shot, where the suspects are going, and what they’re wearing. All of this shows Officer Barreto at his best during one of the worst nights of his career.”

Officer Barreto was released from the hospital and is home recovering. He issued the following statement, “I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their prayers and help during these times. My family greatly appreciates it and it has helped alleviate some of the stress put on them. I’m going to try to recover as fast as I can so I can get back out there with my shift and the department that has treated me like family. Again I just want to wholeheartedly thank everyone for their support.”

Around 10:18 pm on January 7, officers responded to a report of a possible drunk driver in the area of East Main Street and North Tucker Avenue. Officer Barreto contacted a man, later identified as 22-year-old Elias Buck, and a woman, later identified as 28-year-old Victoria “Rossi” Hernandez, walking in the area who matched the description of the car's occupants. Buck produced a gun and fired multiple shots at Barreto, wounding him. Officer Barreto returned fire and radioed for assistance. The subjects ran away. He was immediately transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center.

SWAT teams from FPD, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police searched the areas of North Tucker Avenue, North Fairview Avenue, and connecting streets between East 20th Street and East Main Street throughout the night. They were assisted by the SJCSO helicopter and NMSP drone operators. Buck wasn’t located, and FPD is now asking the public’s assistance in finding him.
The U.S. Marshals Service is now offering up to $10,000 for reliable information leading to the arrest of Elias Buck, and the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office is offering $5,000. To submit a tip, call 505-599-1068.

More from Local News

AirCare adds Second Airplane

AirCare 3 is a Pilatus PC-12 Legacy. It joins AirCare 1, a Bell 429 twin engine helicopter, and AirCare 2, a Pilatus PC-12 NGX, all owned by San Juan Regional Medical Center and operated by Air Methods.
San Juan County Celebrates New Extension Office

The San Juan County Extension Service Building project is one of 14 projects funded by $13 million recovered in New Mexico’s 2022 settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA contractors, and mining defendants for injuries to natural resources resulting from the August 2015 Gold King Mine blowout.
2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.
Local Freight Rail to receive up to $4 Million more for project

The (Four Corners Freight Rail) project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing resilience and improving system and service performance, as the project will provide a viable freight transportation modal alternative to highway trucking, opportunities to simplify the supply chain, and enable new, rail-dependent economic development opportunities thereby imparting benefits to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.
Teen Boy Fatally Stabbed, Mother Beaten, Juvenile Suspect Arrested

The victim is a 12-year old boy who died of apparent stab wounds. A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango. The names of the victims are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing. The incident was reported by a motorist who was involved in a single vehicle accident shortly after 7 a.m., believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled the residence on Snowy Peaks Way. Deputies discovered the scene when they arrived to investigate the accident.
Woman & Bystander Fatally Shot in Farmington

Andrew Wittenberg has been charged with aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm, two counts of first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.