The Murder of Brandon York
For this case, I watched an episode of Real Crime Time. It’s season 2 episode 2, titled ‘Catch Me if You Can.’ Brandon’s case is the first of 2 cases in this episode.
A woman witnesses a shooting at a gas station.
Background
Not much is known about Brandon York’s life but he was 43 years old at the time of his death.
From the information gathered about Brandon, the police learned that he had struggled with alcoholism and mental health issues. Brandon had entered a program that provided him with housing and help with his mental health issues. He was excited to finally be approved to get an apartment and try to better himself.
Brandon York
The 911 Call
On July 23, 2022, a 911 call came in from the Safeway gas station on Main Street in Farmington, New Mexico. The caller said, “Some kid’s just shot a guy,” and described that two individuals were getting into a blue Ford Ranger pickup.
Farmington developed a Real Time Crime Center and placed surveillance cameras around every major intersection.
The blue truck was tracked to the intersection of 30th and E. Main Street. A high-speed chase ensued during the middle of rush hour traffic.
The truck was eventually pulled over. The police didn’t know what to expect at the traffic stop and knew that it was possible that the driver would try to shoot at them. However, they complied and were taken into custody.
Murder or Self-Defense?
The driver was identified as Guillermo Aguirre. Guillermo claimed that went to the gas station to try and help the homeless. He said that some guy meaning Brandon was “throwing rocks” at him. He said he acted in self-defense and felt threatened.
Guillermo spoke a lot in the police car and the interrogation room. He told the police that he wanted to get his GED and eventually join the police force. He asked if this incident would prevent him from joining the police.
In the interrogation room, Guillermo maintained his self-defense story. He admitted that he should not have pulled his gun out. He said he couldn’t believe he was, “the one that murdered somebody.”
Other officers went to the gas station to try and render aid to the victim. They said the victim did not appear to be breathing. The victim had been shot multiple times. They had found an ID in his pocket and identified him as Brandon York.
Brandon had been shot 4 times in the upper back area, 2 to the left leg, and one to each arm. The police searched the area and found several shell casings but not a murder weapon.
The police at the gas station spoke to eyewitnesses at the scene to confirm or deny the self-defense claim. One woman told the police that she captured the entire shooting on her cell phone.
The Cell Phone Video
She said she had turned into the gas station and heard Brandon telling Guillermo and his friend to leave him alone or he would slap them. She said that they continued to harass Brandon and she yelled at them to leave him alone. She said she grabbed her phone and started recording.
In the video, Guillermo shot Brandon. Brandon immediately fell to the ground. About 8-9 more shots followed.
The eyewitness could be heard screaming at Guillermo after he shot Brandon, and told him that she had him on video. Guillermo responded, “Good for you.”
The eyewitness told the police that she ran after Guillermo and his friend to see what kind of car they were driving. The eyewitness called 911.
The Conviction
Guillermo told the police that he ran away because he was running after his friend. He tried hard to say that Brandon was the aggressor and that he almost fell unconscious after he was hit with rocks. He never showed any emotion or remorse.
The video ruled out self-defense. Guillermo was charged with second-degree murder. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 15 years.
Guillermo Aguirre
The accomplice was never charged.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Brandon was down on his luck and had been trying to better his life. It seemed like he had been at the gas station to ask for money because there was a sign in one of the photos of his belongings. Guillermo seems like cocky piece of shit but he also ruined his life. I hope he rots in prison for more than 15 years.
Sources
https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/farmington-man-charged-with-second-degree-murder/
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/farmington-man-faces-murder-charges-following-weekend-shooting/
