⏱ 2 min read
Justin Brown, a 50-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, is accused of stabbing another individual at a gathering in Sheep Spring, New Mexico, on July 12, 2026. The incident allegedly occurred after Brown became aggressive and confronted the victim, stabbing them in the left forearm and inflicting cuts on their abdomen and back. The motive behind the attack is unclear, but Brown claimed he acted in self-defense, believing the victims were attempting to harm him.
Brown’s alleged rampage didn’t stop there. He also allegedly threatened another attendee with a box cutter-style knife and sent threatening text messages before the assault. Witnesses reported that a second victim suffered a cut during the incident. The victim who was stabbed fled the scene in a vehicle with another adult and four minor children, while Brown attempted to gain access to the vehicle and pursued it as it drove away.
The investigation, led by the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations, revealed the extent of the victim’s injuries. Medical records showed the victim suffered a stab wound to the left forearm requiring 16 staples, as well as superficial cuts to the abdomen and back.
Brown is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: New Mexico
- Location: NM
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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