On April 5, 2023, at approximately 2:50 PM, Graham County Communications
received a call of a domestic situation in the 400 block of W. Rustler Road, Safford, where
the caller stated a male had been shot.
Members from the Safford Police Department and Graham County Sheriff’s Office
arrived on scene to find a male with gunshot wounds and another male with serious and
bleeding injuries to the facial area. CPR was started by law enforcement on scene to the
male with the gunshot wounds. Medical personnel from Lifeline soon arrived and began
additional medical care to both males.
The male with the gunshot wounds, identified as Derek Farar age 40, was taken to
Mt. Graham Regional Hospital by Ambulance and later pronounced deceased. The male
with the facial injuries, Stan French age 74, was also taken to Mt. Graham Hospital and
later flown to a Banner UMC Tucson due to the nature of his injuries. Stan French’s
medical condition is unknown at this time.
In the preliminary stage of this investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has learned Derek
Farar had an active Order of Protection in place restricting him from contact with Stan
French when this incident occurred. At this point in the investigation it appears Derek
Farar forced his way into Stan French’s residence and assaulted him. During the incident
Stan French was able to retrieve a handgun and shot Derek Farar.
On April 5, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from members of the Safford
and Thatcher Police Departments executed a search warrant to further the investigation
and process the scene.
An autopsy to be completed by the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office is
scheduled for April 6, 2023. Currently this is an on-going investigation.
