Login

Gallup Sun

Thursday, Mar 28th

Last update12:57:39 AM GMT

You are here: News Public Safety Navajo PD: ‘Russian roulette’ not a factor in Nazlini domestic call

Navajo PD: ‘Russian roulette’ not a factor in Nazlini domestic call

E-mail Print PDF

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – When the Navajo Police Department responded to a possible shots fired call in the Nazlini, Ariz. community Jan. 12, there was no indication that a game of Russian roulette was played at the time of the incident, NPD spokesperson Christina Tsosie said in a statement Jan. 18.

Tsosie explained that responding officers arrived on the scene and found a female victim at a neighbor’s home. The neighbor reported to the officer on scene that she had heard arguing next door and a short time later the victim came to her home seeking assistance.

The female victim had blood coming from a laceration on her forehead which she indicated was caused by the suspect when he slammed her head against an object. The male suspect was a family member and that they had been drinking at their home.

Officers made entry into the residence and found the suspect on the living room couch. He was arrested without incident.

“The victim had a laceration on her head, however it was not a gunshot wound,” Tsosie said. “This case is currently being investigated by the Division of Public Safety Criminal Investigation department and no further details will be shared at this time.”

The Navajo Times reported on Jan. 17 that a Navajo Nation ranger had been shot while playing a game of Russian roulette with a former Navajo police officer. The story has since been removed from the paper’s website.

In response to a story recently distributed by the media, the Office of the Chief of Police Phillip Francisco issued the following statement:

“The Navajo Police Department does not prematurely share information regarding cases that are considered open investigation without knowing the overall facts of a case. We refrain from releasing detailed information to protect the integrity of a case and to protect the victims involved in a crime.

“Major crimes and other incident reports distributed to the media is authorized and officially released through the Navajo Police Department Office of Chief of Police. Next, the information is issued through a press release produced by the department public information officer and distributed with the approval of Navajo Police Chief Phillip Francisco or the Division of Public Safety Division Director.

“The Navajo Police Department scrutinizes the issuance of names of victims, suspects or details of a case to allow for the investigation to complete and prosecutors can file official charges.

“Any alternative source of information used is not the official statement of the Chief of Police.”