Farmington Police have placed the four officers involved on leave, which is normal for cases such as this. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is handling the investigation into the shooting. The suspect's name has not yet been released.
May 11, 2021
From Farmington Police;
Numerous 911 calls were made yesterday regarding a male shooting a gun in downtown Farmington. The calls came in around 2:23 p.m. from witnesses in the area who heard shots and saw two men walking, one had a gun. Officers followed leads as they were being reported and found spent bullet casings and an empty ammunition box where the suspects were reported to have been seen. Officers also viewed security camera footage at a business and saw two men who matched the descriptions reported and were able to get screenshots showing identifiers. A shelter in place was issued for public safety. Another 911 call came in around 4:15 p.m. reporting shots heard in the area of the 100 block of W. Animas St. The officers made contact with the subjects, one male pointed a gun at and walked towards one of the officers, and four officers fired. Officers immediately rendered aid to the man and called for paramedics. He was transported to the San Juan Regional Medical Center and eventually to Albuquerque, where he is currently being treated. There were no other injuries at the scene. The four officers are on administrative leave, which is the routine procedure of the Farmington Police Department.
The incident remains under investigation, and further information will be provided as it becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, the primary investigating agency, at 505-334-6107.
The Farmington Police Department would like to thank the public for their vigilance and swift reporting. We’d also like to thank the businesses that were quick to provide video as we worked to locate the suspects and keep our community safe.
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.
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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.
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Reports indicated the child had been locked in a chicken coop for extended periods and exposed to extreme weather conditions. Detectives immediately responded, removed the child from the home, and gathered evidence corroborating the allegations.