Sheriff's Office: "We need witnesses to come forward" - Undersheriff James Mairoano

One man is dead after an alleged parking lot fight at T&R Feed and Rope Center turned deadly Feb. 12.

The suspect, who Sheriff officials declined to name at this time, was arrested on Navajo Nation land thanks to some persistent witnesses.

McKinley County Sheriff’s office responded to the “fight call” at 2:30 pm.

Undersheriff James Maiorano said before deputies arrived on scene they were notified that the Native American male stabbing victim was sitting in a gray pickup truck in the parking lot. When deputies arrived, medical personnel were already tending to the victim.

Witnesses to the fight saw the Native American man leaving the scene and followed him.

“With their help the suspect was apprehended by Sheriff’s deputies on Navajo Nation land,” Maiorano said. “The suspect was turned over to Navajo Police who arrested him on unrelated charges.”

The victim later died at the hospital. Sheriff’s office officials have declined to name the victim name now due to the ongoing investigation.

“At this time, it is unclear what led to the altercation and subsequent stabbing however the Sheriff’s Office is diligently investigating this case,” he said.

Although there were witnesses that came forward and helped to apprehend the suspect, the investigation is ongoing.

But investigators need for more witnesses to come forward to help put the puzzle pieces together.

Call (505) 863-1410 ask to speak with Investigator Anthony Ashley.

This is a developing story. Check Gallup Sun’s website and Facebook page for updates.

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Gallup Police Department are currently seeking the identity of a man found deceased near the BNSF rail yard, under Munoz Overpass, this morning.

GPD Capt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo said the call on the Native American man, age unknown, came in shortly after 9 am.

Toadlena-Pablo said in these cases, detectives share a photo of the deceased person with NCI and public service officers in hopes someone will recognize the victim so next of kin can be notified.

She added that there were no signs of foul play, and at this stage, it's not clear if the overnight icy weather played a factor in the man's death.

The Office of the Medical Investigator will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of the man's death.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - On January 27, 2020, Bruce Robertson, 40, of Fort Defiance, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 4 years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to two counts of Domestic Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury.

On multiple occasions in 2015 and 2016, Robertson engaged in acts of domestic violence against his then-girlfriend, repeatedly punching her in the face, shoving her, and threatening to smother her. In one assault, when Robertson attempted to hit his infant child with a large metal belt, his girlfriend shielded the baby with her own body. As a result, Robertson beat her with the belt. The matter was eventually referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and agents promptly began an investigation, which led to Robertson’s prosecution. Robertson is a member of the Navajo Nation, as is the victim, and the crimes occurred near Chinle, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

A check with the FBI office in Phoeniz, Ariz. confirms that the woman who was attacked, has survived.

The investigation was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Two years ago, the Gallup Police Department received sad news that one of their own had been diagnosed with cancer. Lt. Gerald Tholund accepted the diagnosis and carried on.

Now, the cancer has spread and his family has begun to feel the weight of this tragic disease not only in what the future holds, but also the weight of mounting medical bills.

GPD PFC Andy Yearley spearheaded, along with other members of the GPD, a gofundme account to help, and they are now asking for the help of the community.

Tholund spent over a year accepting his diagnosis all while continuing to keep doing his important work at GPD.

“Sometimes he would do his treatments and would come back to work,” Yearley said.

Tholund retired in 2014 after serving Gallup for 27 years. At the beginning of 2015, he found out that the cancer had spread. Doctors have given a grim prognosis. While Tholund and his family is suffering under these conditions, the dollar amount of treating this disease is adding to the stress.

“Current medical supplies, chemo, med flights and mounting medical bills are causing even more stress on the family,” Yearley said.

The gofundme account has already helped raise over $500 just in gifts from 11 people.

While that is amazing, it will make little impact. Every dollar can add up and help to ease some of the burden from this suffering family. While gofundme does take a very small percentage off of the donation for the service of running the web page, 92 percent of every dollar donated will go to the family.

It’s already being shared on Facebook, but those wishing to donate can go directly to the site: gofundme.com/geraldtholund to make a donation.

“Please help us put Gerald at ease knowing that his wife will not have to worry about the medical expenses,” it reads on gofundme. “It is our time to give back to Gerald and his family.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation without using the site can contact Yearley at the Gallup Police Department: (505) 863-9365 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it