A man from Gallup has admitted guilt in a federal court for shooting and injuring another individual on the Navajo reservation last year. The incident took place on January 22, 2024, when Arthur Chee Pat, aged 69 and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, responded to a disturbance near his home in Gallup.
Court documents reveal that Pat drove to John Doe's residence after hearing the commotion. Upon arrival, he retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and fired three shots at one person and two more at John Doe, hitting him once in the knee. Following the shooting, Pat fled with his son.
John Doe was initially treated at Gallup Indian Medical Center before being transferred to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque. Authorities arrested Pat at his home shortly after the event and found the handgun used in the shooting inside his vehicle.
Pat remains on conditional release as he awaits sentencing, which is yet to be scheduled. He faces a potential prison sentence of up to ten years.
The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with help from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Jones is handling prosecution duties for this case.