MCKINLEY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – A Church Rock man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to an attack on law enforcement officers on the Navajo Nation.
Elijah Touchine, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, shot at officers from the Navajo Police Department and New Mexico State Police in July 2023. Law enforcement attempted to find Touchine in a canyon but had to end the search after twelve hours due to dark conditions.
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Later that day, the FBI, with assistance from the Gallup Police Department, located Touchine at a gun store in Gallup, and he was taken into custody without incident.
During the investigation, it was determined that Touchine had forced his grandmother to purchase ammunition and an AR-15 firearm for him through threats of violence. When asked why he was buying a gun, Touchine replied, “I don’t know, shoot up any cop I see,” according to the news release from the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico.
During an interview with the FBI, Touchine referred to himself as the devil, said God told him to do it, and that he “wanted to kill every [expletive] police,” according to court documents. He also identified himself as a fentanyl user.
Law enforcement recovered a .40 caliber Taurus handgun and ammunition in a black bag from the trunk of his grandmother’s vehicle.
At sentencing, Touchine faces 12 to 17 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, he will be subject to up to five years of supervised release.