New Mexico Teen Who Killed 3 Elderly Women Fired More Than 100 Rounds

A New Mexico teen killed three elderly women out on morning drives early this week after he had fired more than 100 rounds, police said.

In a press conference Wednesday, Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said Beau Adam Wilson, 18, fired over 100 rounds from his yard before leaving the scene with two guns and wearing a bulletproof vest, CNN reported.

The victims who died were identified as Gwendolyn Schofield, 98, her daughter Melody Ivie, 73, and Shirley Voita, 79. Six others, including two law enforcement officers, were also wounded.

On the other hand, the suspect was shot dead by responding police officers. This shooting incident became one of 226 mass shootings this year in the US.

These acts of violence often occur while individuals engage in ordinary daily activities, such as grocery shopping, attending school, or working.

Shedding light on the possible motive behind the shooting, Hebbe said on Wednesday that mental health issues could be a factor.

Hebbe noted that investigators were trying to determine if Wilson was taking any medication or under a doctor's supervision in the days leading up to the incident.

According to Hebbe, the shooting spree happened Monday morning when the New Mexico teen positioned himself outside his house in Farmington, New Mexico, and opened fire at passing vehicles using an AR-15-style rifle.

Captain Kevin Burns of the San Juan County Sheriff's Office said the shooter fired at least 141 bullets of .223 caliber from his property.

After shooting at people randomly, Wilson, a high school student, hid the semiautomatic rifle in the bushes near his home, which still had a round in the firing chamber and ammunition in the magazine.

New Mexico Teen Did Not Know the Victims

Authorities said two of the victims died at the scene, while the third victim died at the hospital, BBC reported. Police noted that the New Mexico teen did not appear to know them.

One of the victims held a prominent role as the head of a renowned private preschool, the Ivie League Preschool, which she established in the 1980s.

Known for her kindness, Melody Ivie was a respected figure in the community, according to her friend Bonnie Kennedy. Both Ivie and her mother, Schofield, were teachers and active churchgoers.

They were supposed to pick up a grandchild from school when they were killed. Mark Duncan, a New Mexico Republican Representative married to Ivie's niece, praised Ivie for her unwavering dedication to teaching and love.

Duncan told the Albuquerque Journal that his wife immediately started calling to make sure her aunt was safe when she learned about the shooting, but only to learn she was among those killed.

Shirley Voita was also well-known among neighborhood residents for her nursing profession and active involvement in the church.

James Strickler, a friend and former state representative, described her as "simply a saint," highlighting her profound impact on those around her.

Governor, Lawmakers Pledge Stricter Gun Measures Following New Mexico Shooting

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham told Albuquerque Journal Tuesday that she will again pursue an assault weapons ban and age restrictions for buying firearms. The same ideas have already failed to reach her desk in the 60-day legislative session this year.

Democratic legislators in the state have introduced new bills to establish a 14-day waiting period, expose the sellers of illicit gun modifications to lawsuits and make a registry of individuals who already own assault weapons.

The New Mexico teen reportedly bought a gun legally after turning 18 years old. Lujan Grisham promised to keep pursuing ways to reduce gun violence in New Mexico but admitted that the issue is complex and does not have a quick and easy solution.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Farmington, New Mexico, Shooting Victims Identified - From CBS Mornings