A large quantity of ammunition and firearms were found in the home and backpack of Farmington mass shooter Beau Wilson, 18, and 220 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition were purchased two days before the incident.
Wilson also purchased “three thirty-round capacity magazines specifically designed for .223 caliber firearms” on the same day in a separate transaction, according to police.
“He purchased the gun, the ammunition and the magazines all from Sportsman’s (Warehouse),” Farmington police spokesperson Shanice Gonzales said, adding authorities have “diligently” pursued their investigation into Wilson.
Police found the guns and ammunition during the initial investigation, which happened directly after Wilson was stopped by police shooting and killing him within 20 minutes of him firing his first shots May 15 in the area of North Dustin Avenue.
Police lapel videos from the incident showed Wilson began shooting near the intersection of North Dustin Avenue and Ute Street. He shot into a woman’s vehicle injuring her.
“She was coming south and was gonna take a right on Ute, when all of a sudden she hears pop, pop, pop and then glass and blood … she’s got a bullet hole almost where her head would be in the glass,” Officer Christopher Stanton told officers that day as their investigation began.
Wilson moved up and down the street firing random shots at vehicles, homes and people. He shot off more than 160 rounds from an AR-15 rifle, and then changed to a .22 caliber handgun, before throwing that in a bush and using a 9 mm firearm for his standoff with police.
Wilson killed three area women in the shooting. They were Melody Ivie, 73, and Gwendolyn Schofield, 97, who died at the scene, and Shirley Voita, 79, who was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center, where she died.
Farmington Police said June 1 that in Wilson’s backpack, located near the front door of his father’s home, there were 125 rounds of .223 ammunition for his rifle and 34 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Next to the backpack, there were two fully loaded 30-round magazines for a .223 caliber firearm were also found.
“These magazines were cleverly coupled together using tape for efficient reloads,” according to a news release from Farmington police.
The investigation into the shooting continues and police said evidence is being analyzed. The department also is asking anyone with relevant information pertaining to this case to come forward.
