More than four months after a late-night shooting that left Jessie Hensley dead, Farmington police have formally charged Cameron Irvin Lewis in connection with the incident, according to a recently filed arrest-warrant affidavit and jail records.
Lewis was booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center on January 12, 2026, facing felony and misdemeanor charges tied to the fatal encounter, which occurred in the early morning hours of August 31, 2025.
All allegations described below are drawn directly from sworn police affidavits, witness statements, and evidence summaries. Lewis is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Night Jessie Hensley Was Shot
According to an affidavit filed in Farmington Magistrate Court, officers were dispatched around 2:30 a.m. on August 31, 2025, to the area near East Murray Drive and the 7-2-11 gas station after receiving reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they located Jessie Hensley and his brother, Julian Jaramillo, lying in the roadway with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center, where Jessie Hensley later died from his injuries.
Police determined the shooting occurred outdoors in a public area during a chaotic confrontation involving multiple young people, vehicles arriving and leaving the area, and the presence of firearms.
Multiple Witnesses and a Chaotic Scene
Investigators interviewed Billy Hensley, Jessie’s brother, who was present during the incident. According to his statement, a group had gathered near a car wash when tensions escalated.
Billy told police several individuals arrived in vehicles and that at least one person was armed with a rifle. He reported seeing a firearm pointed toward Jessie Hensley moments before shots were fired.
Police recovered shell casings from the roadway and documented blood evidence at the scene. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses was also collected and reviewed as part of the investigation.
Cameron Lewis’s Role, According to Police
According to the affidavit, Cameron Lewis admitted during a police interview that he was present at the scene and handled a rifle that night.
Lewis told detectives the rifle was an AK-style firearm belonging to a family member. He acknowledged he had been drinking and stated he was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Investigators reported that video evidence showed Lewis holding and pointing the rifle in the direction of Jessie Hensley prior to the shooting. While Lewis claimed he did not intend to kill anyone, police concluded his actions placed others in immediate danger.
The affidavit states Lewis admitted he was “extremely intoxicated” and that the firearm was loaded and chambered during the encounter.
Why Charges Came Months Later
Despite the fatal outcome, the case did not result in immediate charges. The affidavit outlines a lengthy investigative process that included:
- Interviews with multiple witnesses
- Review of extensive surveillance footage
- Firearm tracing and forensic analysis
- Conflicting accounts regarding who fired shots and when
Police ultimately sought charges based on Lewis’s admitted conduct with the firearm, video evidence, and witness statements, even though investigators did not allege he intentionally shot Jessie Hensley.
Charges Filed
Based on the evidence outlined in the affidavit, prosecutors approved the following charges against Cameron Lewis:
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (fourth-degree felony)
- Negligent use of a deadly weapon while intoxicated (misdemeanor)
The charges focus on Lewis’s handling and brandishing of the firearm, rather than alleging intentional homicide.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Lewis was taken into custody on January 12, 2026. Jail records show he was booked without bond at the time of arrest.
A preliminary examination hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2026, in San Juan County Magistrate Court, where a judge will determine whether sufficient probable cause exists for the case to proceed.
A Case That Drew Community Attention
The death of Jessie Hensley drew significant concern and speculation within the Farmington community, in part due to the number of people present, the involvement of firearms, and the length of time between the incident and the filing of charges.
The affidavit indicates investigators did not view the shooting as a simple or isolated event, but rather as a volatile group encounter involving alcohol, weapons, and escalating tensions.
Public Records Notice
This report is based exclusively on sworn law enforcement affidavits, jail records, and court filings. It does not represent a finding of guilt.
All individuals named are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
For more San Juan County court coverage, see our previous report on the sentencing of Andrew Martinez in Farmington.
Leave a Reply