Brandon Barber, Machete Attack, New Mexico 2022

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Brandon Barber Pleads Guilty to Machete Attack in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A shocking incident of violence unfolded in Fruitland when Brandon Barber, 38, attacked a motorist with a machete and hatchet, leaving her shaken and terrified. The incident, which occurred on May 9, 2022, has left the community reeling.

According to the plea agreement, Barber and his co-defendant, Lindsey Yazzie, ambushed the motorist, Jane Doe, while she was driving her Jeep. Yazzie threw a large rock at the windshield, forcing Doe to stop. Barber then attacked the vehicle with a machete and hatchet, smashing the windshield and windows.

After the attack, Barber and Yazzie pulled Doe from the vehicle and stole her Jeep. Barber proceeded to drive away in the stolen vehicle, briefly stopping to allow Yazzie to enter as a passenger. As Barber drove away, he saw Doe standing in the roadway and accelerated the vehicle towards her, forcing her to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.

The chase that followed was a harrowing experience for both the motorist and the police officers involved. When the Navajo Police Department encountered Barber, he led them on a high-speed chase until they were forced to terminate the pursuit due to public safety risks.

As a result of his guilty plea, Barber faces up to 15 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, he will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. Lindsey Yazzie is currently scheduled to stand trial on July 8, 2024.

The investigation into this case was a collaborative effort between the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Navajo Police Department, with assistance from the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting the case.

The community is breathing a sigh of relief now that Barber has pleaded guilty, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the violence that can occur in our society. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.