A Zuni man has been charged with second-degree murder in Indian Country. The indictment claims that Glendon Laate, a member of the Zuni Pueblo, allegedly killed John Doe on December 1, 2024. It is alleged that Laate shot Doe with a homemade firearm and acted with malice aforethought.
Laate will remain in custody while awaiting trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and could receive up to life imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced the charges. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office led the investigation with support from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is handling the prosecution.
An indictment serves as an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.