2023 Farmington, New Mexico Shooting

On the morning of May 15, 2023, a mass shooting occurred in Farmington, New Mexico, a city located about 180 miles (290 km) northwest of Albuquerque. The shooting began at approximately 10:56 a.m. MDT when the shooter walked through a residential area firing at nearby homes and passing drivers. Police were dispatched one minute later, at 10:57 a.m., and arrived on scene by 11:02 a.m. Officers killed the shooter three to four minutes after arriving.

The shooter, identified as 18-year-old Beau Wilson, a student at Farmington High School, first fired at least 141 or 176 rounds from a rifle before discarding it and switching to two pistols — a 9mm and a .22 caliber — firing at least 18 rounds from the 9mm. At least seven houses and 11 vehicles were struck during the incident. During the confrontation, Wilson reportedly shouted for police to "come kill me." He was wearing a modified bullet-proof vest, which proved ineffective as he was struck nine times by police gunfire, according to an autopsy report. Wilson left behind a handwritten note stating, in part, "if your [sic] reading this im [sic] the end of the chapter," and warning against anyone harming his "little sister."

Three women, ranging in age from 73 to 97, were killed. All three were in vehicles at the time they were shot, and one victim died after being transported to a local hospital. Two of the victims were related to each other and had been traveling together toward a nearby school; they were shot after stopping to render aid to the first victim. Six other people were wounded by gunfire, including two responding police officers.

In the aftermath, Farmington Municipal Schools were placed in lockdown for nearly two hours due to an initial police belief that a second shooter might be involved. Vigils for the victims were held that night and throughout the following week. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced via social media that it was assisting with the investigation, alongside the New Mexico State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Local police said Wilson had legally purchased the AR-15-style rifle in late 2022 and bought three additional rifle magazines in the days before the shooting. The handguns were believed to have belonged to family members; under New Mexico law, a person must be at least 19 to possess a handgun, and police said it was unclear whether the family members knew Wilson had access to their firearms.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham offered condolences and said the shooting served as "yet another reminder of how gun violence destroys lives." New Mexico's congressional delegation issued a joint statement pledging to pursue gun control legislation. In September 2023, Lujan Grisham issued a temporary emergency order restricting firearm carrying in Albuquerque in response to this and other shootings in the state.