A mother and son from Zuni have been charged in federal court for their alleged roles in a stabbing that left one victim with life-threatening injuries, according to a July 27 announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Court documents state that on June 14, at a residence on the Zuni Pueblo, Zachary Booqua, 18, and his mother Kayla Marie Concho, 36—both enrolled members of the Zuni Pueblo Indian Tribe—allegedly assaulted two individuals while the group was drinking alcohol. During an argument, Booqua reportedly knocked John Doe unconscious and began punching him in the face. When Jane Doe attempted to intervene, both Booqua and Concho allegedly punched her as well. Booqua then stabbed John Doe.
Booqua and Concho are both charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted of these charges, each faces up to 20 years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement regarding the charges.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Teleky is prosecuting.
“A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” according to federal authorities.