2023 Farmington, New Mexico shooting
Part of mass shootings in the United States
LocationFarmington, New Mexico, U.S.
Coordinates36°45′6″N 108°11′23″W / 36.75167°N 108.18972°W / 36.75167; -108.18972
DateMay 15, 2023 (2023-05-15)
10:56 a.m.-11:06 a.m. (UTC−6)
TargetMembers of the general public
Attack type
Mass shooting
Weapons
Deaths4 (including the perpetrator)
Injured6
PerpetratorBeau Wilson
MotiveUnknown

On May 15, 2023, a mass shooting occurred in Farmington, New Mexico, United States. Three people were killed, and six others were wounded, before the shooter, 18-year-old Beau Wilson, was killed by police.

Shooting

The shooting began on May 15, 2023, at about 10:56 a.m. MDT. The shooting took place in the city of Farmington, 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Albuquerque.[1]

The shooter proceeded to shoot at nearby homes and drivers while walking through the area. Police were dispatched at 10:57 a.m. and arrived by 11:02 a.m. The shooter was killed by police three to four minutes later.[2][3] According to Farmington police, the shooter fired about 150 rounds during the incident and hit at least seven houses and eleven vehicles.[4]

During the confrontation with police, the shooter shouted for them to "come kill me."[5] The shooter had left a handwritten note which stated, in part, "if your reading this im the end of the chapter."[6] The note also warned those who "Lay eyes or [dare] put a finger on my little sister."[7]

Victims

Three women between the ages of 73 and 97 were killed. Those killed were in vehicles at the time of the shooting, with one victim dying after being transported to a local hospital. Two of the victims were related to each other and were traveling together to a nearby school.[8] They were shot when attempting to pull over to render aid to the first victim.[5] Six other people were injured by gunfire, including two responding police officers.[2][3][9]

Aftermath

Farmington Municipal Schools were placed in lockdown for almost two hours due to an initial belief by police that there was a second shooter involved.[10] A vigil for the victims was held that night at a local church[11][12] with additional vigils occurring throughout the week.[13]

Investigation

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a tweet at 12:55 p.m. that they were "assisting with a report of a mass shooting" in Farmington.[14][15] The New Mexico State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are also investigating the shooting.[16][17]

Perpetrator

The gunman was identified as 18-year-old Beau Wilson, a student at Farmington High School.[18] He was reported to have a modified bullet-proof vest[4] along with two "pistol-type weapons", later reported by Farmington police as .22 caliber and 9 mm pistols, and an AR-15 style rifle.[7][19] According to local police, Wilson had legally purchased the AR-15 style rifle in late 2022 and purchased three AR-15 magazines days before the shooting, while the handguns were believed to have been owned by family members.[20][9][7] Under New Mexico law, a person must be at least 19 in order to be in possession of a handgun.[9][21][22] A member of the Farmington Police said at a news conference the day after the shooting that it was not clear if the family members were aware that the suspect was in possession of their handguns.[16]

Reactions

Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham gave her condolences to the victims and said that the shooting “serves at yet another reminder of how gun violence destroys lives in our state and our country every single day”.[23] In a joint statement, New Mexico's five members of Congress stated they would promote gun control legislation.[10] Nonprofit organization Brady Campaign, which focuses on preventing gun violence, also responded to the shooting.[24]

In September 2023, Lujan Grisham issued an emergency order restricting carrying firearms in Albuquerque for 30 days in response to this and other shootings in New Mexico.[25]

See also

References

  1. ↑ US teen kills 3 in New Mexico before shot dead by police Al Jazeera
  2. 1 2 98-year-old woman and her daughter among 3 victims killed by New Mexico student who fired randomly, hitting cars and homes CNN
  3. 1 2 New Mexico high school student killed 3 women in ‘random’ shooting rampage, police say Associated Press
  4. 1 2 Farmington shooter was wearing bulletproof vest, carried note in his pocket, police say Albuquerque Journal
  5. 1 2 Videos show gunman saying ‘kill me’ to onrushing officers in New Mexico rampage Associated Press
  6. ↑ "New Mexico gunman who killed 3 wore bulletproof vest, left note". AP NEWS. May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 Note found on body of teenage New Mexico shooter; 'dynamite lady' among victims: Updates USA Today
  8. ↑ [Preschool teacher and her mother among Farmington shooting victims https://www.abqjournal.com/2599407/preschool-teacher-melody-ivie-and-her-mother-gwendolyn-schofield-among-farmington-shooting-victims-shirley-voita.html] Albuquerque Journal
  9. 1 2 3 New Mexico teen bought AR-style rifle legally before shooting spree, police say Reuters
  10. 1 2 "New Mexico shooting: 3 dead, 2 wounded in Farmington attack". NBC News. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  11. ↑ New Mexico shooting suspect, 3 people dead with multiple injured Washington Post
  12. ↑ New Mexico gunman who killed 3 and injured 6 shot randomly at cars, houses, police say The Public's Radio
  13. ↑ Vigils this week to honor Farmington shooting victims Albuquerque Journal
  14. ↑ Rodriguez, Vince (May 15, 2023). "Police: 2 officers shot, 3 civilians dead in shooting in Farmington". KOAT. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  15. ↑ Gladden, DelSheree (May 15, 2023). "One confirmed dead in active shooting in Farmington; officers possibly injured". Durango Herald. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Police say New Mexico mass shooter was 18-year-old high school student Axios
  17. ↑ Ten minutes of chaos: Authorities identify gunman, provide details in Farmington shooting Albuquerque Journal
  18. ↑ "New Mexico gunman that killed 3 in 'purely random' shooting identified as 18-year-old Farmington High School student". NBC News. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Gunman who killed 3 people and injured 6 in Farmington, New Mexico, was 18 years old and used three firearms, police say". CNN. May 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ At least 150 rounds fired by gunman, officers during New Mexico shooting: Police ABC News
  21. ↑ Minimum Age to Purchase & Possess in New Mexico Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
  22. ↑ Section 30-7-2.2 New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978 New Mexico Compilation Commission
  23. ↑ "New Mexico shooting leaves three people dead and nine injured". The Guardian. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  24. ↑ "New Mexico gunman who killed 3 randomly shot at cars and houses, police say". USA Today. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  25. ↑ Mascarenhas, Lauren (September 12, 2023). "New Mexico's governor just temporarily banned the public carrying of firearms in Albuquerque. Here's what you need to know". CNN. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
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