Tags:

This incident started in Shiprock, NM at approximately 1:25 p.m on July 11, 2021. The Navajo Police Department was notified of a subject, later identified as 36-year-old Shawn Thomas, brandishing a firearm at the Speedway Gas Station at US Hwy 64 and Hwy 491. While enroute, officers were notified the suspect left the scene in a blue Toyota Corolla. Navajo PD officers pursued the vehicle east on US Highway 64, at which time, the suspect traveled off the Navajo Nation where San Juan County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies intercepted the vehicle. After deputies successfully deployed stop sticks and deflated two tires, the vehicle came to a stop where deputies issued commands to exit the vehicle. The vehicle began driving again, traveling approximately 1.4 miles where he momentarily stops two different times.

Beginning to flee again, the suspect proceeds to do a U-turn where deputies observe Thomas point a firearm out the window as he begins to travel back west on US 64. The vehicle eventually stopped between the 33- and 34-mile markers. As SJCSO deputies approached the vehicle, the deputy at the rear of the vehicle observed a firearm in Thomas’ hand, pointed in the direction of his sergeant, and responded to the threat by firing at the subject. The vehicle began to drive off and eventually crashed into a tree and caught fire. Deputies extracted the suspect from the vehicle to render medical aid while EMS and SJC Fire & Rescue were enroute.

The suspect, Shawn Thomas, did succumb to his injuries on location. No officers or uninvolved citizens were injured.

Sheriff Shane Ferrari issued the following statement, “Shawn Thomas was a convicted felon serving three separate prison sentences. He had an extensive violent criminal history including violence towards law enforcement officers. Four days prior to this incident, Thomas was released from the San Juan County Detention Center and was awaiting trial for three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. A dangerousness hearing was held to keep Thomas incarcerated due to his violent criminal history. However, the court denied that request. On the day of this incident, a citizen and two deputies witnessed Thomas in possession of a handgun. During a recent prior law enforcement arrest, Thomas was in possession of a replica handgun. We now suspect that Thomas was in possession of a replica handgun again during this incident. The car fire destroyed the interior of the vehicle and all of its contents. The evidence collected from the interior of the vehicle is currently being analyzed by the state laboratory division.

“The decision to use deadly force to stop an immediate ongoing threat is not easy. I give my condolences to the Thomas family. I want to thank the public for their patience as we gathered this information to provide you with an update. Your support and trust are greatly valued.” ~