Farmington, NM – Yesterday at approximately 6:19 p.m. a Farmington police officer was sitting at a traffic light at McCormick School Road and Broadway when he heard a female screaming for help. The female was a passenger in a truck that was traveling on Broadway toward Bloomfield Highway. The officer attempted to stop the truck, but the driver took immediate evasive action and sped off. The truck was weaving in and out of traffic and passed a vehicle on the shoulder of the road. The driver eventually turned onto Riverstone Road and turned off his lights. As the officer turned onto Riverstone, the truck again drove off at a slow speed, eventually coming to a stop a short distance ahead. Prior to the truck coming to a stop, a female either fell or jumped out of the passenger side and fell to the ground. The male driver then exited the vehicle.

The subsequent events leading to the officer discharging his firearm are under investigation by New Mexico State Police. They have identified the driver as 35-year-old Frankie Anchondo of Farmington. State Police have several witness statements, videos, audio recordings as well as scene reconstruction to analyze. When they have concluded their investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Eleventh Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Farmington for review. We will update the community as more information becomes available.

Chief Hebbe expressed his condolences for everyone affected by this incident, “This is a terrible event especially this time of year and during a period when our community has already dealt with so much. Any loss of life is a tragedy, particularly for family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved.”