Man jabbed in the face with scissors, brother is arrested

By Brian Hassler
Staff Writer

SHIPROCK — Police and emergency workers weren't given any breaks heading into the weekend.

On Wednesday Navajo Nation police officers responded to calls in Ojo Amarillo and found that Jason Padilla, 33, had been stabbed in the face by his brother Jefferson Padilla, 24, with a pair of scissors.

Upon investigating the scene, authorities learned that the two brothers had been arguing and were intoxicated when a fight broke out and Jason was stabbed.

Jason Padilla was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and treated for the wound. While Jason was being transported to the hospital, his brother was arrested on tribal charges by officers from the Shiprock Police Department.

The matter remains under investigation.

Another stabbing occurred on Wednesday when Steven Benally, of Farmington, walked into a Blockbuster video store in Farmington after having been stabbed multiple times.

Benally was also transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center because of the wounds.

Stabbings weren't authorities' only calls for the week. A Kirtland man, Andrew Begay, 38, was found pinned between a truck and a chemical skid at 9:30 a.m. on Friday at the Weatherford Yard in Wild Horse Valley.

Begay was also transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and, according to officers, was in fair condition.

Brian Hassler is The Independent's Four Corners reporter based in Shiprock. Contact him at (505) 360-7862 or via email at brianhassler@hotmail.com.