Zuni Man Indicted in July 4 Triple Homicide Case

Federal prosecutors announced on November 13 that Willis Kylestewa, 41, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, has been indicted on three counts of second degree murder in the deaths of three individuals that occurred on July 4, 2025. The victims are identified in court documents as John Doe, Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. The indictment was issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico and was posted after the recent federal government shutdown ended.

Kylestewa remains in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted he faces a sentence ranging from multiple years up to life in prison under federal law. Officials emphasized that an indictment is solely an allegation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office led the investigation with assistance from the Zuni Police Department and Zuni Open Space. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Marshall and Amy Mondragon are assigned to prosecute the case in federal court.

For residents of McKinley County the case raises immediate questions about jurisdiction, public safety and the coordination between tribal and federal authorities. The involvement of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office reflects the federal role in serious criminal matters that can arise in Indian Country, and local leaders and residents will be watching how evidence, witness interviews and legal decisions move through the federal court system. The legal timeline remains uncertain at this stage because formal sentencing dates and trial scheduling have not been announced.

Local law enforcement partners are central to community trust and to the investigative process. The collaboration between the FBI Gallup Resident Agency and the Zuni Police Department underscores the shared responsibilities that agencies carry when violent incidents affect tribal communities. For families and neighbors, the case also highlights the human toll of violent crime and the need for accurate, timely information as proceedings advance.

Court records and future public filings will provide additional details about the allegations, the evidence collected and the prosecutorial strategy. McKinley County residents seeking updates should monitor the District of New Mexico court docket and statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The press release is cataloged as Press Release Number 25 350 under the topic Indian Country Law and Justice and components Federal Bureau of Investigation.