It is likely that a teenager with a gun who killed three elderly women in New Mexico got his grim final wish: die at the hands of the police, authorities said.
On Monday around 11 a.m. MT, Beau Wilson, 18, left his home and opened fire on neighboring homes and passing cars, police said. He was supposed to graduate from Farmington High School the next day.
The rampage only ended when responding officers fatally shot Wilson in front of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at 713 N. Dustin Ave.
Before officers brought him down, Wilson disposed of his AR-15, a handgun and a bulletproof vest, authorities said. A doorbell camera also caught Wilson yelling «come and kill me» during the barrage, police said.
Asked if Wilson was seeking a «suicide by cop» end to his life, Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said he believed that was the case.
«He’s defending himself. He has opportunities to run. He doesn’t take advantage of those opportunities.» Hebbe told reporters. «So yeah, I think ultimately in his head, he made the decision that he’s going to stand up and fight until he’s killed.»
Police also revealed Thursday that Wilson killed two of his victims as they stopped to render aid to the first woman attacked in the rampage.
Shirley Voita, 79, Melody Ivie, 73, and Gwendolyn Schofield, 97, were all in cars when Wilson fatally shot them, authorities said. Schofield was Ivie’s mother.
Voita was first shot and fell out of her car as Ivie and Schofield approached her, Hebbe told reporters.
“We think they see the body on the street and are pulling over to help her, not knowing what had happened,” he said.
«So they actually stop and stop. They don’t just circle and drive. They stop and stop and the suspect opens fire and kills both of them while they’re still sitting in their car.»
Police also released some of the body camera footage, including video of Sgt. Rachel Discenza, who was shot in the exchange of fire.
She can be heard yelling, «I’ve been shot,» before going down to the ground and then getting up to continue pursuing the suspect. Another officer approaches him and yells, «Get me a medic for the sergeant!»
The chief said he was stunned to hear the number of shots fired in the ongoing shootout.
«When you’re really listening to it, especially in that first where he’s still shooting that AR-15, it sounds like you’re looking at Afghanistan or Iraq,” Hebbe said. «I was not prepared to see that and hear the volume of gunfire.»
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.