Brandon Hyden, a 40-year-old resident of Tuba City, Arizona, has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for second degree murder and five years for assault with a dangerous weapon. The sentences will run concurrently, followed by supervised release periods of five and three years respectively. U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa issued the sentence on December 16, 2025, after Hyden pleaded guilty to both charges.
According to court records, on January 26, 2025, Hyden shot and killed an unarmed individual in a business parking lot in Tuba City. About thirty minutes later, he shot another unarmed person four times in a residential area within Tuba City limits. The second victim survived after weeks of hospitalization and intensive medical care.
Hyden is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine commented on the outcome: “Hyden has been brought to account for his senseless acts of violence that took a life and forever altered others,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “While no sentence can undo the pain suffered by the victims, their families, and the Tuba City community, this outcome reflects our commitment to justice. We thank our partners at the FBI, ATF and Navajo Nation Police Department for their diligent work in this case.”
FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke added: “This sentence certainly reflects the senseless violence of this case and underscores our office’s commitment to protecting all communities in Arizona and ensuring that justice is served throughout the state,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke. “The FBI is responsible for investigating the most serious crimes on our tribal lands, and we will continue to aggressively pursue those individuals who commit these heinous acts of violence.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Navajo Nation Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
