FBI Charges Three in 2020 Killing of Navajo Man Zachariah Shorty

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced charges against three individuals in connection with the 2020 killing of Zachariah Shorty, a 23-year-old man from the Navajo Nation. The charges follow a significant investigation as part of Operation Not Forgotten, which aims to address a crisis of violence against Native Americans. The news brought mixed emotions for Vangie Randall-Shorty, Zachariah’s mother, who has been advocating for justice since her son’s tragic death.

Operation Not Forgotten and Its Impact

Under Operation Not Forgotten, the FBI deployed more than 60 additional agents, analysts, and support personnel to various field offices across the United States, including locations like Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Seattle. Over a six-month period, this initiative sought to investigate unsolved violent crimes in Indian Country, where the rates of disappearances and killings among Native Americans have reached alarming levels.

Statistics indicate that Native Americans experience some of the highest rates of violent victimization in the country. As of the beginning of the 2025 fiscal year, the FBI’s Indian Country program had approximately 4,300 open investigations, including over 900 death investigations. This year, the FBI reported 1,123 arrests and the recovery of over 300 weapons, alongside identifying or locating more than 450 children who were victims of crimes.

Details of the Charges

The three individuals charged include Austin Begay, aged 31, who faces first-degree murder charges, and Jaymes Fage, aged 38, accused of aiding and abetting the crime. A third defendant, Joshua Watkins, aged 40, is charged with lying to investigators in an attempt to conceal the details of the killing. The indictments do not provide specifics about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the connections between the victim and the accused.

Zachariah Shorty was last seen at the Journey Inn Motel in Farmington, New Mexico, where he was with friends making music. He was found days later in a field near the Navajo community of Nenahnezad, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Randall-Shorty expressed her relief over the charges but acknowledged the emotional journey ahead as the case progresses through the legal system.

During the past five years, she has actively participated in town halls, task force meetings, prayer circles, and community marches, advocating not only for her son but for other families affected by similar violence. “My heart is heavy,” she said, reflecting on her loss. “But I will continue advocating for Zach and continue being his voice.”

FBI Director Kash Patel recognized the complexity of addressing crime in expansive jurisdictions and emphasized Operation Not Forgotten as a significant step in providing justice to tribal communities. Advocates stress that the resources allocated should remain permanent to ensure continued efforts to combat violence against Native Americans.

The efforts to highlight the crisis in Native American communities have gained attention over the years, with previous administrations taking steps to address the issue. Former President Donald Trump was the first to formally acknowledge the crisis with an executive order establishing a task force, while former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland initiated a national commission to explore jurisdictional challenges that hinder crime reduction in tribal areas.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Randall-Shorty hopes for justice while cherishing her son’s memory. “I carry him in my heart every day,” she said, underscoring the enduring love and loss she feels for Zachariah.