Farmington, NM – On Sunday, September 6 at approximately 8:49 p.m. Farmington police were dispatched to the 2600 block of Best Street in reference to a stolen company vehicle. Subsequent callers reported the vehicle was driving erratically and was involved in multiple hit and run crashes. Officers located the vehicle in the area of East Main Street between Cliffside and 30 Street driving into oncoming traffic without headlights. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, an adult male, was taken into custody. The suspect was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center for medical screening and standard processing. After the officer completed a routine DWI investigation, medical personnel moved the subject to another part of the hospital to continue their evaluation. At this time, the suspect launched an unprovoked attack on the officer and a violent struggle ensued. During the struggle, the officer shot the suspect. Per FPD policy, State Police were immediately contacted to assume the investigation of the incident at the hospital and the officer was placed on administrative leave. The suspect is being treated at SJRMC. He has yet to be positively identified. The officer sustained minor injuries. Additional details about the incident will be released when they become available.
Farmington police are requesting anyone with information about the events leading up to the incident at the hospital to please call Detective Joy at 599-1032.