FBI surge leads to charges in 2020 killing in native American community

Thursday, November 27, 2025 -Federal authorities — under the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — have charged three individuals in the 2020 killing of a young man from the Navajo Nation, marking a long‑awaited breakthrough for his family and tribal community. 

The victim, Zachariah Shorty, age 23, was found shot multiple times near the community of Nenahnezad after being last seen at a motel in Farmington, New Mexico. The suspects: Austin Begay, charged with first‑degree murder; Jaymes Fage, accused of aiding and abetting; and Joshua Watkins, charged with lying to investigators.

This development stems from a renewed federal effort, Operation Not Forgotten, under which the FBI deployed over 60 agents and personnel to ten field offices nationwide to investigate unsolved violent crimes in “Indian Country.” 

Over a six‑month period, the initiative has triggered more than 1,100 arrests, the recovery of over 300 weapons, and the identification or recovery of hundreds of child victims — part of a broader push to address long‑standing gaps in justice for Native American communities.

For the mother of the victim, Vangie Randall‑Shorty, the indictments come after years of campaigning for answers. “I carry him in my heart every day,” she said, expressing a mix of grief and relief after the charges were announced. 

While the indictments offer a measure of justice, they also highlight the scope of violence faced by Indigenous communities and the urgent need for sustained resources and federal attention.