Vanderwagen Assault

⏱ 2 min read

Larry Wilbur Begay, a 66-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly unleashed a brutal attack on a victim in Vanderwagen, New Mexico, on March 10, 2026. According to court documents, Begay struck the victim multiple times with a metal workout bar inside a residence, leaving the victim with severe injuries. The victim managed to flee to a nearby residence and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. The motive behind the assault is not yet clear.

The victim suffered a laundry list of serious injuries, including fractures to his right femur, left fibula, right wrist, and maxillary bone, as well as a deep laceration to the left side of his head that required staples. Begay is now facing charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, specifically the Gallup Resident Agency, investigated the case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case, which has not yet been scheduled for trial.

If convicted, Begay faces up to 10 years in prison. The case serves as a stark reminder of the violent crimes that plague communities across New Mexico, and the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to bring perpetrators to justice.