Through investigation, detectives learned that Guillermo Humberto Aguirre IV has a landscaping business and frequently hires individuals who panhandle in the area. Aguirre went to the location to find workers when he encountered a man, later identified as 43-year-old Brandon York of Farmington.
A confrontation occurred between the men, which ended when Aguirre pulled out a handgun and shot York numerous times.
From Farmington Police
July 25, 2022
A Farmington man has been charged with murder following a shooting that took place on Saturday. Farmington police responded to a call of a shooting near the intersection of East Main Street and Plaza Center around 6:23 p.m. The reporting party informed officers that the shooting suspect got into a blue Ford Ranger and drove east.
Officers located and stopped the vehicle near 30th Street and College Boulevard. The suspect, later identified as 21-year-old Guillermo Humberto Aguirre IV of Farmington, was driving. There were two other occupants, a 21-year-old male and a 25-year-old female both of Farmington. Aguirre was transported to the Farmington Police Department Detective Division to be interviewed. The other two subjects were questioned at the police department and released.
Through investigation, detectives learned that Aguirre has a landscaping business and frequently hires individuals who panhandle in the area. Aguirre went to the location to find workers when he encountered a man, later identified as 43-year-old Brandon York of Farmington.
A confrontation occurred between the men, which ended when Aguirre pulled out a handgun and shot York numerous times.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Aguirre on the charge of Murder in the 2nd Degree. Aguirre was arrested on the warrant and booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Detective Tip Hotline at 505-599-1068.
The initial call was received at 5:23 AM. The individual was identified from video surveillance. The male was contacted by Durango Police Department Patrol and is now in custody. He has been identified as Joe Brinkerhoff, a resident of the City of Durango. Due to a prior incident, Joe Brinkerhoff was trespassed from the property and his Rec Center privileges were suspended.
After a thorough and ongoing investigation by detectives and working with the district attorney's office, a thorough review of the case was conducted, and the decision to proceed with criminal charges was made. A warrant was issued to charge Heather Fernandez-Hoefer. She was taken into custody without incident on April 1, 2025.
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.
Following an extensive investigation by Farmington Police Department detectives, an arrest warrant was issued for 40-year-old Matthew Sandoval, who is known to have a family connection to Madrid, who has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. On March 28, Sandoval was located by U.S. Marshals in the 400 block of W. Animas. Farmington Police officers responded and arrested Sandoval on the outstanding warrant.
Invited guests will tour the temple, the afternoon of July 14, and all day on July 15 and 16, 2025. A public open house will run from July 17 to August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays.
Officers canvassed the area for the suspect; however, investigators believe the individual left the area prior to police arrival. The Farmington Police Department is releasing a video of a person of interest. The video shows a male on a bicycle headed east on Navajo Street towards Lincoln Avenue. The Farmington Police Department urges anyone with information or video surveillance from the area to contact detectives at 505-599-1068.