Cameron man threatens to shoot self

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It started out as a call to the Navajo Nation Police in Tuba City from a woman reporting that her son had locked himself in his bedroom and had a shotgun pointed to his head.

The dispatcher reported that the woman was hysterical and crying on the phone, pleading with police to come and help her son, Hinton William Jr., no age given, of Cameron, Ariz.

Several police officers immediately responded to the call. While they were en route to the home, Tuba City dispatch received another call from the home saying that shots had been fired and that there was a small child in the house.

Police were also informed that the suspect had told family members that if he saw a police officer, he might shoot himself.

When police arrived at the house, they met with family members about 100 yards away from the house. Because of the report of a possible child's life being in danger, police at the scene decided not to wait and began approaching the house cautiously.

They had been told that the suspect was still in the bedroom and may be intoxicated.

When police arrived at the bedroom door, they saw the suspect with his back turned and immediately rushed him. He did have a weapon. While he resisted their attempts to put handcuffs on, he was eventually subdued and taken into custody.

During a search of the bedroom area, police found an assault rifle hidden in the closet in a guitar case.

William later told police that he had been planning on holding the rifle if police arrived.

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"You guys (officers) came in too fast and I didn't have a chance to grab it," the police report has him saying.

The report said he was intoxicated. He was charged with unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, threatening and disorderly conduct.

Leupp man beaten

Police reported that a Leupp, Ariz., man was severely beaten on July 3.

The victim was identified as Steven Shirley, 45.

The incident began about 10 a.m. on July 3 when police received a report of a man walking on Navajo Route 15 west of Leupp. He was reported to have been beaten up.

When police got to the area, they found that Shirley had walked to his girlfriend's house after being kicked and punched numerous times in the facial area.

Shirley told police that his bruises came from getting to a fight with juveniles, including children of his girlfriend. Police said no reason was given for the assault.

Nazlini woman dies in accident

A Nazlini, Ariz., woman was killed in a one-car accident that occurred on July 6 on U.S. Highway 264 near Nazlini.

The victim was identified by police as Sophia Claw, 44.

She was in a car that was being driven by her husband, Leroy Shorty, 47.

The two, along with two children, were driving back from Gallup about 6:25 p.m. when Shorty said he fell asleep at the wheel.

When he woke, he said the car was going into a ravine beside the road. It hit an embankment and flipped over, coming to rest on its wheels. All of the occupants in the car were ejected.

Police said Claw apparently died from blunt force trauma caused by the impact on the ground.

Shorty and his two children were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Shots fired in Cornfields

Police received a report on July 11 that shots had been fired in the Cornfields, Ariz., area about 10:35 a.m.

People reported that the shots had been fired west of milepost 95 on Navajo Route 12 near Cornfields. Navajo Nation Police officers from several districts, including Dilkon and Window Rock, responded. Apache County Sheriff deputies also responded.

As they headed to the scene, the police dispatcher said the suspect had already fled the area on horseback.

When police got to the scene, they were told that the suspect's name was Lyman Curley, age unknown, of Cornfields. Police were also told that Leffie Spencer, 37, of Cornfields, had taken a handgun from the suspect before he had fled on horseback.

The FBI was called to the scene and although a search was started, police said Curley was not located.

Police did confiscate a six-shooter that he had reportedly shot. Police said they also discovered evidence that a bullet had been shot into the ground.

Fort Defiance man charged in stabbing

A 21-year-old Fort Defiance man has been charged with aggravated battery in connection with a stabbing that occurred at the family home about 7 a.m. on July 11.

Police said Kevin Todakonzie, 44, and Frank Todakonzie, 21, got into a fight behind the family home.

The fight ended with Frank Todakonzie stabbing Kevin Todakonzie in the left shoulder causing severe bleeding.

Kevin Todakonzie was taken to the Fort Defiance hospital for treatment while Kevin Todakonzie ws taken into federal custody.

Man, lost on mountain, calls for help on cell phone

FLAGSTAFF - On Sunday July 12, at about 8:30 p.m., emergency communications specialists of the Flagstaff Regional 911 Center received a cell phone call from a lone hiker on Humphrey's Peak claiming he was lost and did not know how to relocate the trail to descend to Snowbowl, according to a press release from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.

Coconino County Sheriff's Deputies learned the hiker, Chris Laurenteno, was alone, had no flashlight, a small amount of water, one energy bar, and his cell phone battery was very low.

Laurenteno received instructions on using the flash on his camera to signal the helicopter when the helicopter was near his location.

Laurentino's location was confirmed by the crew of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter, and a four person ground Coconino County Sheriff Search and Rescue Volunteer team hiked to his location, arriving at 12:30 a.m.

Laurenteno was accompanied down the mountain to safety after being provided fluids and warm clothes.

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