A 25-year-old man, Armondo Paul, has been charged with second-degree murder following a fatal stabbing incident on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation in New Mexico. The incident, which took place on June 27, resulted in the death of his ex-girlfriend’s father, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
The Navajo Nation Police Department responded to a distress call at the victim’s residence in Shiprock shortly after 3 a.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man in the driveway with a severe neck wound. Despite the efforts of first responders, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim’s daughter, who also happens to be Paul’s former girlfriend, identified Paul as the perpetrator. She recounted to FBI agents that Paul had visited their home a few hours prior to the incident. Despite her reluctance to engage with him due to his history of abusive behavior, she eventually agreed to speak with him to avoid any potential conflict.
The woman further revealed that after their brief conversation, she drove Paul back to his mother’s house and advised him to rest. However, Paul later confessed to agents that he was unable to sleep due to his turbulent emotions, which ranged from destructive urges to suicidal thoughts.
According to the arrest affidavit, Paul armed himself with a kitchen knife and returned to his ex-girlfriend’s residence with the initial intention of self-harm. He then decided to cut off the power supply to the house, prompting his ex-girlfriend and her father to come outside. When they retreated back into the house and locked the door, Paul was reportedly sent into a fit of rage.
The affidavit further detailed that Paul forced his way into the house, grabbed his ex-girlfriend’s arm, and was confronted by her father. In the ensuing struggle, Paul allegedly stabbed the father in the neck. The victim managed to remove the knife from his neck before collapsing in the driveway.
Paul then fled the scene upon hearing the approaching ambulance, but was later apprehended by law enforcement agents. He is currently in federal custody and has been assigned a public defender. His next court appearance is yet to be scheduled. The identity of the victim has not been publicly disclosed.