Shots fired in Ft. Defiance
Navajo man arrested on drug and weapons charges

FT. DEFIANCE, Ariz.-A Navajo man suspect was arrested on narcotics and weapons possession charges in Window Rock April 10.

Around noon, a report of gunfire at the Rio Puerco and Black Rock Acres housing area of Ft. Defiance was called into the Window Rock Police Department.

Navajo Police from the Window Rock and Crownpoint Districts responded and were supported by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Gallup Police Department, Apache County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

The housing area was on lockdown while authorities ordered residents to remain indoors. Police officers cleared the houses one at a time in their search for the suspect.

Around 5 p.m., the Navajo Police Drug and Gang Unit arrested the male suspect on narcotics charges and transported him to the Window Rock Jail. A female suspect in the house was also detained and questioned.

John Billison, director of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, said the neighborhood was secure and began allowing residents back into their homes.

"I can't comment on the shooting because that's under investigation. However, there are no federal charges and the Navajo Police Drug and Gang Unit are taking the lead on the narcotics investigation," Bilison said.

Several firearms, mostly rifles, were also recovered.

Billison thanked all the agencies that supported the Navajo Nation for the immediate response.

"It was a good response, we could not hope for a better outcome. All the agency came together and supported one another," Billison said. "We had troops on the ground, reinforced by air."

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly was in Alamo, New Mexico for the Justice Day celebration when the reports of gunfire in Ft. Defiance first came in. He applauded the work of the responding agencies.

"We are serious about the safety of the public and our law enforcement officers," Shelly said. "We will respond in full force, as several agencies responded."

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