FARMINGTON – The Farmington Police Department arrested a man Thursday morning after a shopper at Target reported the suspect was waving what was thought to be a gun, but ended up being aerosol cans he is suspected of shoplifting.
City of Farmington spokeswoman Georgette Allen said it was not an active shooter event as rumors had been circulating on Facebook.
“Someone called in about a man waving an object around,” Allen said in an email. “(The) caller thought it was a gun.”
The department’s Facebook page also had a post Thursday to try to “dispel rumors.”
“We’ve been made aware of some misinformation circulating regarding a shooting on the east side of town,” the post said. “The misinformation is stemming from an incident that happened this morning.”
Officers responded to the area, and stores in the vicinity were placed on lockdown “out of an abundance of caution.” Officers were able to find the man identified as Rodriguez Lee, Allen said.
Lee did not have a gun, instead he had two cans of aerosol duster he is suspected of shoplifting.
Lee was arrested for shoplifting, resisting arrest and obstructing police officers.
Request for comment from Target was not returned.
mmitchell@durangoherald.com