New Mexico police have publicized a photograph of a note found on the body of a teenage gunman who fatally shot three elderly women at random before removing his bulletproof vest and being killed by responding officers.
The Farmington Police Department reported that Beau Wilson, 18, had amassed a collection of weapons and ammunition at his father’s home. Officers discovered more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and ten firearms of various calibers scattered throughout the property. Although these weapons were accessible to Wilson, police noted they did not belong to him.
In a Wednesday press conference, Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said Wilson was wearing a modified bulletproof vest with steel plates when he opened fire from his home. However, Wilson deliberately removed his vest before his confrontation with the officers. A handwritten note was found in his pocket, which read in part, “If you’re reading this, I’m the end of the chapter [sic].” It also included a warning that if anyone harmed Wilson’s younger sister, they would regret it.
According to the police, Wilson began his shooting spree by discharging at least 176 rounds from an AR-15 rifle on his home’s front porch. Despite having live ammunition remaining, he discarded the rifle and continued his attack using two pistols. He discarded a .22-caliber gun and expended rounds from a 9-mm handgun during his final exchange with the police, firing at least 18 rounds. Wilson fired at vehicles seemingly at random, damaging 11 vehicles and hitting seven homes. The victims were mother and daughter Gwendolyn Schofield, 97, and Melody Ivie, 73, along with Shirley Voita, 79, all long-time Farmington residents.
Sergeant Rachel Discenza from the Farmington Police and Officer Andreas Stamatiadis from the New Mexico State Police were injured in the attack and received treatment at a local hospital.
Authorities are now investigating Wilson’s access to firearms and evaluating his mental health history. They are working to obtain his medical and school records to gain further insight into the shooting rampage.
