In a significant development, five years after the tragic death of Navajo Nation member Zachariah Shorty, authorities have arrested three men from New Mexico. This long-awaited moment comes as federal charges have been filed against Austin Begay, Jaymes Fage, and Joshua Watkins, according to KOAT.
The charges are grave, with Begay facing first-degree murder, Watkins accused of concealing the crime, and Fage charged with aiding in the murder. These arrests mark a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for Shorty’s untimely death.
Zachariah Shorty’s body was discovered on July 25, 2020, by a passerby on a dirt pathway in Nenahnezad, New Mexico, a part of the Navajo Nation. Shorty had been found shot to death, a harrowing discovery that shocked the community. CrimeOnline previously reported that this grim find came only days after Shorty had last been seen alive.
Shorty’s final hours were spent at the Journey Inn in Farmington, New Mexico, where his mother, Vangie Randall, dropped him off to collaborate on music with friends. Tragically, Shorty never returned to the motel that night, prompting concern and phone calls to his mother from friends who hadn’t seen him come back.
As the case unfolds, these arrests offer a glimmer of hope for Shorty’s family and the Navajo Nation, who have been seeking answers and accountability for years. The community continues to process the impact of this loss while the legal proceedings begin to take shape.
Later that night, he failed to return to the motel, where he had been staying at the time. Vangie received a few calls from friends, telling her that he hadn’t returned.
AZ Central reports that Begay allegedly used a semiautomatic firearm to kill Shorty.
Both Begay and Fage are members of the Navajo Nation.
Federal agents joined the case as part of the FBI’s Operation Not Forgotten. According to Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison, the operation provides “a fresh perspective and a new look at these cases that have been pending for quite some time.”
The Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Outreach Program was also utilized to assist in the case.
“The MMIP (Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons) Regional Outreach Program was created to ensure that cases like Zachariah Shorty’s never fade into the background and to show the impact that focused federal attention can have,” Ellis said.
During CrimeCon Denver last year, Randall told CrimeOnline that her son’s death led her to advocate for other families who have been affected by crimes.
“I was invited by the family of Gabby Petito last year to CrimeCon in Nashville. I was on the panel with them and was able to share Zachariah’s story,” Randall said.
“I became involved with MMDRC, which is a non-profit organization, as an Advocacy Coordinator. We support families of the Missing and Murdered. Some things we’ve supported and assisted with are marches, rallies, and candlelight vigils, donating to funeral/burial costs.”
Anyone with additional information on Shorty’s case is urged to contact the FBI at 505-889-1300 or online at tips.fbi.gov.
To learn more about the case, visit the “Justice for Zachariah” Facebook page.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: FBI]
