SHIPROCK, NM – A Shiprock man was arrested Thursday after authorities say he fatally stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s father during a confrontation outside a home on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation in the early morning hours.
Federal prosecutors have charged Armondo Paul, 25, with second-degree murder in connection with the deadly incident that happened around 3 a.m. on June 27. Officers from the Navajo Nation Police Department responded to a report of violence at a home outside Shiprock, where they discovered a man in the driveway suffering from a stab wound to the neck. Despite the arrival of emergency medics, the victim was declared dead at the scene.
Court records indicate that the altercation began when Paul arrived at the home where his former girlfriend lived with her father. According to an affidavit, the woman told investigators that Paul had a history of abusive behavior and that she had recently ended their relationship. She said Paul showed up uninvited late at night and, although she didn’t want to engage with him, ultimately agreed to step outside to avoid escalation.
After talking briefly, the woman gave Paul a ride to his mother’s house and urged him to go to sleep. However, Paul later told investigators that he was unable to rest due to emotional turmoil, describing his feelings as ranging from destructive impulses to self-harm.
In a state of distress, Paul allegedly returned to his ex-girlfriend’s home, carrying a kitchen knife and intent on hurting himself, according to federal authorities. Paul reportedly tried to draw attention by shutting off the power to the house, prompting both his ex-girlfriend and her father to come outside.
When the pair went back inside and locked the door, the situation escalated. Authorities said Paul forced his way in, grabbed his ex-girlfriend, and was confronted by her father. During the ensuing struggle, Paul allegedly stabbed the man in the neck with the knife. The victim managed to remove the blade and make his way into the driveway, where he collapsed.
Witnesses told investigators that Paul paused to observe the victim as he lay on the ground before reentering the home. There, he forced open his ex-girlfriend’s bedroom door and encountered her holding a small child, which caused him to flee the residence again.
Law enforcement arrived on the scene shortly after the attack. Paul was apprehended nearby and taken into custody without further incident. He was assigned a public defender and is currently being held in federal custody as he awaits his next court appearance, which has not yet been scheduled.
The name of the victim has not been made public. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing.