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.
According to initial witness statements, the male subject was in the passenger seat of a vehicle being driven by a female. Witnesses reported that the vehicle moved toward law enforcement officers while the male subject attempted to climb into the driver’s seat.
Shots were fired by U.S. Marshals during the incident. Both the male subject and the female driver were pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement personnel were injured.
The Sheriff's Office Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to conduct the investigation into the fatal crash. Two persons on bicycles (an adult male and an adult female) were struck by a 2006 Ford Ranger driven by Jaron Todecheeny of Aztec, NM. Both bicyclists died at the scene.
As Vice President of Diversity Affairs at FLC, Heather Shotton has played a pivotal role in advancing a culture of belonging and enhancing student access and success. In addition to her work in diversity affairs, she serves as Acting Dean of Student Engagement, overseeing more than 70 staff members supporting student well-being and success.
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.