U.S. Attorney Secures Guilty Plea in Family Shooting Case

ALBUQUERQUE – A Pinehill man was pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of assault, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, admitting to a violent outburst that left two family members dead and another seriously injured.

According to court documents, on the morning of December 22, 2023, Ellery Brent Yazzie, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, woke up at his family home located within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation in Pinehill, New Mexico. He went downstairs to the kitchen with a holstered firearm in his waistband.

In the kitchen, Yazzie pointed the firearm at his sister, Jane Doe 1, and threatened to shoot her and the rest of his family. This was not the first time he had made such threats. Yazzie then shot and killed his father, John Doe 1, and his brother, John Doe 2, using the firearm. He admitted to being angry and aware of the risk of causing death and to intending to do serious bodily injury.

After killing his father and brother, Yazzie turned the firearm on his sister, Jane Doe 1, shooting her in her lower extremities approximately six times, causing life-threatening injuries. He then fired shots at his mother, Jane Doe 2, who was crawling on the kitchen floor trying to escape.

Following the shootings, Yazzie went upstairs to retrieve another firearm and more ammunition before returning downstairs and shooting himself.

At sentencing, Yazzie faces up to thirty (30) years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Yazzie will be subject to up to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Ramah Navajo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caitlin L. Dillon and Jena Ritchey are prosecuting the case.

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