Woman accused of hiding handgun on Aztec elementary school property

FARMINGTON — An Aztec woman was arrested last week and accused of hiding a handgun on the grounds of an Aztec elementary school.

Brooke Showers, 25, is accused of a fourth-degree felony count of unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premise and a petty misdemeanor count of negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to the criminal complaint.

Showers is accused of leaving a revolver in a gun case on the grounds of Lydia Rippey Elementary School and carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, according to court documents.

She did not have legal representation today.

An officer for the Aztec Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of Ruins Road to conduct a welfare check when he meet Showers, according to the complaint.

Showers told the officer she hid a gun outside, and the officer asked her where it was and if she could show him where it is.

The two walked to Lydia Rippey Elementary School, and Showers showed the officer a tan canvas gun case she had placed in an area between a parking lot and a fence.

Showers told the officer she was "anti-school shooting" and that she wanted the gun destroyed. When asked why she didn't take to the police station, Showers didn't respond.

The officer took the firearm, and they walked back to the patrol vehicle.

The revolver was logged into evidence with six rounds, but it is unknown if they were in the gun or in the gun case, according to Lt. Joseph Gonzales of the Aztec Police Department.

Showers made a written statement at the Aztec police station, including remarks about "being a Greek God" and that she "needed to save the kids," the complaint states.

She did not make any statement about hurting herself or anyone else.

Showers registered a 0.08 blood-alcohol content on a breath test, records state. The legal limit to operate a motor vehicle in New Mexico is a 0.08 blood-alcohol content. She told the officer she had been drinking earlier in the evening.

The San Juan County District Attorney's Office filed a motion to hold Showers without bond pending trial. A hearing regarding the motion is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday in Aztec District Court.

San Juan County Chief Deputy District Attorney Dustin O'Brien said the motion was filed because she took a gun and hid it at an elementary school. He added the D.A.'s Office wanted to determine her intentions regarding Showers' "anti-school shooting" statement to the Aztec officer.

"We didn't want to allow her to be released without a district court judge's review," O'Brien said.

Showers was incarcerated today at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center on a no-bond hold. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Joshua Kellogg covers crime, courts and social issues for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627 or via email at jkellogg@daily-times.com.