Oh my..............Our little Skittles,
it so saddens me to hear this news. I have been watching the story with interest and scorn as I use to sell my ice cream to the Hogback trading post and the Navaho Nation back in the 80's and drove truck from Utah to Albuquerque for about 2 years (Thru Shiprock) and felt a connection. I was shocked to hear it and am blown away to hear it was your brother.
I hope you do not mind if I update a few things about it?
Ayor anosh'ni girl and hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All means being utilized in investigation FBI to remain mum on details until closer to arrest
By Ryan Hall and Rhys Saunders The Daily Times
November 11, 2005
HOGBACK -- The investigation into the Hogback shooting that killed three Farmington residents Monday morning is continuing, with investigators tracking down leads streaming in through a tip line, according to Special Agent Bill Elwell of the FBI.
He added that the first week in any murder investigation is crucial and the agencies involved were treating it as such.
"It is important and we're putting all available assets toward it," Elwell stated.
Bobby Wayne Fulton, 20, Lars Yazzie, 18, and Vicki Benally, 26, all of Farmington, were killed in an "execution style" shooting that took place at approximately 12:30 a.m. Monday, according to Elwell.
The identities of the two men killed were switched in pictures that appeared throughout the media on Thursday as a result of error in an FBI e-mail.
The bodies of Benally and one other victim were found inside her 2004 Suzuki Verona on a canal road that runs parallel to U.S. 64, while the third victim was located just outside the car. The vehicle was found approximately three-quarters of a mile from the Hogback Chapter House, according to Elwell.
The manner of shooting was classified as "execution style" because the victims were shot at "very close range" and appeared not to have seen their assailants, Elwell said, noting the method was reminiscent of historical executions done at close range and in the back of the head.
Elwell said that particular method was rarely seen, particularly in multiple-victim homicides.
"It's one of the first in my career," he said.
The car, which had several bullet holes in the driver and passenger side windows, has not yet been removed from the scene of the crime as investigators were continuing to process it, Elwell said Thursday via phone. He noted any evidence gathered was crucial because there were no survivors nor has anyone reported seeing the shooting.
"We had no actual witnesses," Elwell said.
Investigators are using tips received over a hotline to try to determine where the victims were, and who they might have encountered, prior to the event. Elwell said he could not release details on any information that had been gathered during that part of the investigation.
"We probably wouldn't discuss any parts of that," he said.
Elwell added no motive or suspects have been identified in the case and he said he could not comment on whether the attack may have been drug or gang-related.
"I really can't answer that," he said. Elwell has preciously said he also could not discuss any of the evidence seized at this stage of the investigation.
He noted Thursday that once the FBI is "closer" to charging someone, some of those details will be released.
Elwell said the investigation has been difficult thus far and those on scene are doing their best to solve the case.
"Three victims brutally murdered are very difficult to take. None of them are easy (to solve), no matter where they are," he said, noting the location of the shooting has not affected the investigation.
"It's a murder that happened in New Mexico and we will treat it like that," he said. "We treat all our cases with high priority."
Elwell said police are still looking to the community for information regarding who Benally, Yazzie and Fulton may have had plans with and where they were on Sunday night prior to the crime.
Anyone with information regarding the victims or the shooting can contact local police at (505) 334-TIPS.
Pic of Yazzie here:
http://vh10018.v1.moc.gbahn.net/apps/pb ... S01&ArtNo= 511110312&Ref=V2&MaxW=305
The two men were killed at approximately 12:30 a.m. Monday morning, along with Vicki Benally, 26, of Farmington, in a shooting near the chapter house in Hogback, according to FBI Special Agent Bill Elwell.
Simpson said she did not know Benally.
"(Fulton and Yazzie) hung out with a lot of people. Everybody knew them," Simpson said. "They were always out with their friends. All of his friends looked up to Bobby."
Simpson said the last time she saw her brother or cousin was Friday. They visited her house Sunday and talked with her younger sister, but she was grocery shopping and didn't see them.
"They went to my kitchen, like they usually do," she said, laughing.
The conversation with Simpson's sister was the last time the family spoke with Fulton or Yazzie.
"It was just unexpected. We lost two great people in our lives and we want (the authorities) to find out who did this," Simpson said.
Marilyn Fulton, Bobby's mother and Yazzie's aunt, agreed.
"I want (the shooters) to be behind bars, that's all," she said.
Both Simpson and Marilyn Fulton said they believed the shooting may have been drug-related.
"We're thinking it might have to do with drugs," Simpson stated, adding that although she did not know if Bobby Fulton was involved with drugs, she believed many of his friends were.
"Maybe this is a wake-up call for all the young ones (involved with drugs)," added Marilyn Fulton.
Elwell has previously declined to comment on whether drugs may have played a role in the triple homicide.
Simpson said the family is grieving, but finds comfort in the fact the two cousins and close friends died together.
"We're taking it day by day. We know they both left with each other, it would have been hard for one to say 'bye.' We're kind of glad they left together," she stated.
Both Simpson and Marilyn Fulton asked that anyone with information on where Yazzie, Bobby Fulton and Benally may have been, or who they might have been with, Sunday night call the Crimestoppers tip line at 334-TIPS.
"I think now is the time, they need to tell if they know something," Simpson said through tears.
"I just want them to come forward and tell whatever they know," added Marilyn Fulton. "We really need their help."
