A man has been charged with aggravated assault after police say he pulled a knife and made threatening statements inside Walmart on East Main Street, prompting a police response at the store.
Garrison Ray Francisco, of Shiprock, is accused of confronting customers near the store’s entrances and checkout area on March 29, 2026, according to a statement of probable cause filed in Farmington Magistrate Court.
According to the complaint, Farmington police were dispatched around 1:52 p.m. to the Walmart at 4600 E. Main St. after a caller reported an armed man approaching people and displaying a knife. The reporting party told officers the suspect appeared to be approaching individuals near the entrances while holding what was described as a pocket knife.
Police allege officers observed a group of employees gathered near the east entrance pointing toward a man matching the description. The suspect was later seen walking toward a vehicle in the parking lot, where officers made contact and detained him.
Witnesses told police the man approached multiple people inside the store and made statements including “You can buy my stuff,” while holding a knife in his right hand. One witness reported hearing the knife open and seeing the blade while the suspect stood close to shoppers in the checkout area.
Another witness told police the man pointed the knife toward a customer and said, “Wanna fight?” while others reported the weapon resembled a small dagger or box cutter. A third witness stated the suspect stood close to a child while the child’s parent intervened and told him to step back.
According to the complaint, officers attempted to identify Francisco, but he allegedly refused to provide his name and resisted efforts to comply with commands. Police later identified him using an identification card recovered during the investigation.
Officers reported that Francisco resisted being taken into custody and refused to walk on his own at the jail, requiring assistance from officers to move him.
CHARGES FILED
- Aggravated assault (deadly weapon), fourth-degree felony
- Concealing identity, misdemeanor
- Resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer, misdemeanor
- Two outstanding warrants
The allegation is similar to a recent knife-threat report at a Speedway gas station on West Main Street involving a separate incident at 2700 W Main Street, according to court records.
CASE STATUS
Court records show the case has been transferred to district court for a competency evaluation. According to a court order filed April 8, 2026, proceedings have been suspended pending a determination of whether the defendant is competent to stand trial.
SOURCE
Farmington Magistrate Court records, including a statement of probable cause and amended criminal complaint filed March 30, 2026.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.