Brandon York, a 43-year-old White man, was on the verge of a new beginning in the summer of 2022. After navigating personal struggles with homelessness, mental health, and alcoholism, he had been approved for his own apartment and was looking forward to the future. A resident of Farmington, New Mexico, York was a familiar face to some in the community who would see him on his corner during their trips to the grocery store.
On the evening of July 23, 2022, York’s hopes were tragically
extinguished. At around 6:23 p.m. in the parking lot of a Safeway gas station near the intersection of East Main Street and Plaza Center, he was involved in a fatal confrontation. Police responded to calls about gunfire and found York deceased at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses reported that the shooter had fled east in a blue Ford Ranger.
Officers quickly located the vehicle near 30th Street and College Boulevard and stopped the driver, identified as 21-year-old Guillermo Humberto Aguirre IV. Two other passengers in the truck, a man and a woman, were questioned by police and released. The investigation revealed that Aguirre owned a landscaping business and frequently visited the area to hire individuals who were panhandling to work as day laborers.
During questioning, Aguirre claimed that he and York had gotten into an argument. He stated that York became the aggressor, yelling and throwing small stones or pebbles at him, leaving him feeling dazed. Aguirre said he first tried to use a stun gun to de-escalate the situation, but when that failed and York threw another rock, he pulled out his 9mm handgun and fired. However, a witness captured the encounter on video. The footage showed Aguirre shooting York once, causing him to fall. Aguirre then advanced on the fallen man and fired several more shots into him at close range. Police confirmed he fired a total of nine times.
Guillermo Humberto Aguirre IV was arrested and booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center, where he was initially charged with second-degree murder. He later pleaded guilty to the shooting. For the killing of Brandon York, Aguirre was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
