Among the victims were a 98-year-old woman named Gwendolyn Schofield and her 73-year-old daughter, Melody Ivie, who was shot while inside their vehicle.
A tragic incident unfolded in Farmington, New Mexico, as an 18-year-old high school student went on a shooting spree in his neighborhood
Another victim, Shirley Voita, 79, was also shot in a car and later succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. The assailant, identified as Beau Wilson, targeted homes and vehicles indiscriminately, ultimately injuring a total of nine people.
Law enforcement authorities revealed that four Farmington police officers confronted the shooter and opened fire, ultimately ending Wilson’s rampage. Sadly, one of the officers, Farmington Police Sgt. Rachel Discenza was wounded in the exchange of gunfire. Additionally, New Mexico State Police Officer Andreas Stamatiadas was shot when he arrived at the scene.
While the motive for the shooting remains under investigation, officials stated that Wilson had no previous history of significant criminal behavior. However, concerns about his mental health had been expressed by his family. It remains unclear whether Wilson had been diagnosed with any mental health conditions.
Authorities are also investigating how Wilson acquired the firearms used in the attack. One of the weapons was identified as an assault-style rifle, a type commonly favored by mass shooters in previous incidents across the United States.
The Farmington community was deeply shaken by the tragedy
Which Mayor Nate Duckett described as an “unthinkable incident” that took the lives of innocent individuals. The city joins a growing list of American communities affected by the ongoing problem of gun violence, with over 225 mass shootings reported in the first 20 weeks of the year nationwide.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are working to establish any connection between the assailant and his victims. They are also analyzing the crime scene, which spans a significant area, to determine the full extent of the incident and the number of shots fired.
Farmington officers swiftly responded to the shooting, with the first call received at 10:56 a.m. local time. Dispatch received numerous reports, prompting an immediate response. Within minutes, the officers engaged the shooter and neutralized the threat, ultimately saving further lives.
The Farmington community, still grappling with the shock of the incident, was preparing for its high school graduation ceremony, scheduled for the evening.
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