Police believe shooting to be justified
Contributed Photo: Derek Farar, 40, was pronounced deceased at MGRMC on Wednesday.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – A Safford man was killed Wednesday afternoon in a shooting that occurred during a domestic incident that law enforcement deemed a justifiable homicide.
Derek Christopher Farar, 40, was transported to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center on Wednesday after being shot by his stepfather at about 2:50 p.m. at a residence in the 400 block of W. Rustler Road, which is just north of Swift Trail Junction. Farar was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The other injured party, Stan French, 74, was initially treated at MGRMC for facial injuries and was then flown to Banner – UMC Tucson for further treatment. His medical information has not been updated since his arrival at UMC.
According to a preliminary investigation by the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, Farar, who had an order of protection against him from French, forced his way into French’s residence and assaulted him. During the incident, French retrieved a handgun and fatally shot Farar. A week prior to the fatal incident, Farar was picked up on a warrant regarding charges of criminal trespassing, threatening or intimidating, criminal damage, and failure to comply with a court order, relating to his ongoing issue with his stepfather.
The Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office is scheduled to conduct an autopsy on Farar’s body on Thursday.
While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary indications from law enforcement and prosecutors suggest the shooting as being justified self-defense with no likely charges pending at this time.
The Safford and Thatcher Police departments assisted the GCSO with their investigation.
