ABQ Times

A Shiprock man has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison following a shooting incident that took place in 2023. Tyrell Willie, 38, who is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, entered a guilty plea to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Court documents reveal that on May 28, 2023, Willie reached out to Jane Doe via Facebook Messenger requesting to visit her at her home. He arrived at around 2:00 a.m., and after a brief exchange, became aggressive. Willie attempted to forcibly remove Jane Doe from her vehicle until her son, John Doe, intervened.

Willie initially left the scene but returned later. As John Doe exited his home, Willie was reportedly waiting nearby. He turned off his vehicle's headlights and drove up to John Doe before firing two shots from the driver’s seat. One bullet struck John Doe in the stomach. The Navajo Nation Police officers were already present in the area due to reports of erratic driving and promptly pursued and arrested Willie.

After serving his prison sentence, Willie will face five years of supervised release.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez along with Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.

The case was investigated by the FBI Farmington Agency with support from the Navajo Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. McGinley.