Shiprock Man Accused of Brutal Fireplace Assault

ALBUQUERQUE – A night of rage in Shiprock has landed Joshua Black, 20, in federal custody, facing serious charges after a brutal assault left two victims seriously injured. According to court documents unsealed today, the incident unfolded on August 5, 2025, turning a home into a scene of shocking violence.

The complaint details a savage attack on another man, allegedly committed by Black, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Witnesses say an argument escalated quickly, culminating in Black repeatedly slamming the man’s head into a fireplace. The brutality didn’t stop there; Black then allegedly used a shovel and a wooden board to continue the assault, inflicting life-threatening head injuries. The victim required immediate medical attention and was airlifted to a local hospital.

But the violence didn’t end with the first victim. Black is also accused of turning on a woman, kicking her and forcibly taking her mobility aids. He then allegedly pushed another man to the ground during the same chaotic incident. The scene, according to investigators, was one of utter devastation and senseless aggression.

When authorities arrived, they found Black attempting to hide inside a box spring. A search of the residence yielded disturbing evidence: a broken shovel, a bloodied wooden board, and a crutch covered in blood. These items have been submitted as evidence in the ongoing investigation. Black is currently held in third-party custody, awaiting a trial date that has not yet been set.

“This was a horrific act of violence, and we will pursue justice for the victims,” stated U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, added that the case is part of “Summer Heat,” a nationwide FBI initiative targeting violent crime. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, the Navajo Nation Police Department, and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

Black is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted on either count, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and Joshua Black, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.

RELATED: Luis Rangel Arce Gets 87 Months for Meth Trafficking on Navajo Land

RELATED: Navajo Man Pleads Guilty in Fruitland Murder Case