Farmington man found with rifle at Memory Gardens Cemetery faces charges

Farmington police responded late on November 19 to multiple calls reporting shots fired at Memory Gardens Cemetery, located at 6917 E. Main Street. Officers located 22 year old Stephen Aragon Jr. of Farmington and took him into custody after finding him in possession of a rifle similar to an AR platform and a pistol. A sweep of the cemetery confirmed there were no injuries and that headstones and grave markers remained intact.

Police described Aragon as being "in crisis" and charged him with loitering, prowling and negligent use of a firearm. Investigators cleared the scene after confirming no physical damage to the property. The cemetery office manager posted on social media that Aragon was mourning the loss of a loved one, a circumstance officials said was part of the context of the response.

Local law enforcement officials provided a timeline of the response and details about the scene sweep, noting officers secured the area and assessed physical damage before releasing the site. Authorities did not report any shots striking people or monuments, and no injuries were treated at the scene. The arrest and the charges filed will proceed through the county court system.

For San Juan County residents the incident raises immediate questions about safety at public and sacred spaces, and about how authorities and communities respond when someone in distress has access to firearms. Memory Gardens serves as a place of mourning and remembrance for many families in the region, and an event like this can heighten anxiety among visitors and neighbors. Cemetery staff and community leaders have emphasized respect for grieving practices while also calling attention to the need for compassionate mental health resources.

The situation also touches on broader themes that resonate beyond the county. Across many societies the presence of firearms in moments of individual crisis presents complex challenges for policing, public health and community support networks. Local officials must balance enforcement of the law with efforts to connect people in distress to medical and social services. In Farmington the combination of an active law enforcement intervention and no reported physical harm will likely shape a community conversation about prevention of similar incidents.

As criminal proceedings move forward the case will remain of local interest. Residents who frequent Memory Gardens and nearby neighborhoods are advised to follow any guidance from cemetery management and law enforcement and to reach out to county resources if they witness someone in distress. The episode has prompted renewed attention to how San Juan County can support grieving families while ensuring public safety in community spaces.