Alexander M.M. Uballez U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico
A Gallup man has entered a guilty plea in federal court following a shooting incident on the Navajo reservation. The individual, Arthur Chee Pat, 69, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, admitted to the charges stemming from an altercation that took place on January 22, 2024.
Court documents reveal that Pat responded to a disturbance near his home in Gallup by driving to investigate. Upon reaching John Doe's residence, where his son and three other men were present, Pat retrieved a firearm from his vehicle. He proceeded to fire three shots at one man and two more towards John Doe, hitting Doe once in the knee.
Following the incident, Pat fled with his son. John Doe was initially taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center before being transferred to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque for further treatment. Authorities apprehended Pat at his residence shortly after and recovered the weapon used in the shooting from his vehicle.
Pat is currently released under conditions while awaiting sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled. He could face up to ten years in prison upon sentencing.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with support from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Jones is handling prosecution duties for this case.
