A Gallup man was charged by in connection with a shooting incident that occurred during a confrontation over barking dogs.

Harley Davidson Joe, 38, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge on May 22 and was released pending trial.

According to the criminal complaint, on May 11, three individuals were walking their dogs in Gallup when Joe drove past them in a truck. The dogs allegedly began barking at the truck but did not go towards the vehicle. Joe reportedly stopped and exited the vehicle and confronted the group about their dogs' barking.

An argument ensued, during which Joe reportedly brandished a handgun. One victim saw Joe firing shots toward him...

Executive Director of New Mexico Foundation for Open Governments

The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government agrees with Attorney General

Raul Torrez’s assessment that the Second Judicial District Court violated the Inspection

of Public Records Act when it failed to provide records to KRQE-TV 13 Reporter

Larry Barker and KOB-TV 4 Reporter Ryan Laughlin.

The Court’s denial of the reporters’ requests to inspect records related to GPS alerts and

other documents in possession of the Court’s Pretrial Services Division jeopardizes

the public’s right to access to information regarding PTS, a division of the Court, which is funded through public tax dollars.

FOG supports...

Executive Director of New Mexico Foundation for Open Governments

The mission of the New Mexico Foundation of Open Government includes advocating, educating and litigating to help New Mexicans vindicate their rights  under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Freedom of the press is one of the hallmarks of American democracy and is enshrined as one of the five freedoms in the First Amendment – freedom of press,  freedom of assembly, freedom of petition, freedom of religion and freedom of  speech. This is not just an opinion; it is the law. The Constitution recognizes the right (and duty) of the press to report all news.

Arresting journalists for reporting the news is...

A Tohatchi man named Augustus Benallie was charged with second degree murder and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm after he reportedly shot a woman on the Navajo Reservation.

According to a criminal complaint, on May 12, the Navajo Police Department received an emergency call regarding a shooting near Tohatchi. EMS responded to the coordinates the caller provided and found a woman inside a house with an apparent gunshot wound.

Medical personnel attempted to transport the victim to a staging location for medivac to a trauma center, but she died enroute.

Benallie, a 51-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, was arrested on May 13 after reportedly stabbing himself with a kitchen...