Shiprock Man Sentenced for Firing Gun at Passerby

ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man was sentenced to 48 months in prison for firing multiple shots at a passerby. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court records, on March 13, 2025, Isaiah Benally , 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, fired multiple shots at a passerby on Navajo Route 509. Two bullets struck the ground near the passerby, who was not injured but told law enforcement he feared for his life. Benally then remained inside a nearby residence and refused repeated commands from law enforcement to exit. Benally eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident. A subsequent search of the residence recovered an unloaded handgun and multiple rounds of ammunition from Benally’s bedroom. Benally pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Upon his release from prison, Benally will be subject to three years of supervised release. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meg Tomlinson prosecuted the case.