Navajo Police Department

09/17/2026

▪️ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE: DENNEHOTSO, ARIZONA▪️

8:13 p.m./Sept. 16, 2026

US 160 at Milepost 419, east of Dennehotso, Arizona, is closed in both directions.

Both roadways are currently impassable and drivers should not attempt to travel through the closure.

Please use caution in the area and obey all posted closure signs.

🚨 Road Closure Alert – US 160 East of Dennehotso 🚨

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has closed US 160 east of Dennehotso at Mile Marker 419. The road is impassable and is closed in both directions. Please seek alternate routes and avoid the area.

For additional information or updates, please contact Arizona DOT (ADOT) directly.

09/17/2026

▪️ROAD CONDITIONS ADVISORY: NEWCOMB, NEW MEXICO▪️

7:05 p.m./Sept. 16, 2026

Please use extreme caution on Highway 491 on Road 9673, in Newcomb, New Mexico.

Parts of the roadway is flooded and damaged, caused by recent flooding. Drivers should not attempt to travel through this road.

NMDOT & NDOT were notified.

09/17/2026

▪️ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE: UPPER FRUITLAND, NEW MEXICO▪️

Please find an alternate route and avoid traveling on this road.

🚨 Road Closure Alert - N36 🚨

N36 near Northern Edge Casino is closed in both directions due to flash flooding. Please seek alternate routes and use caution when traveling.

Do not attempt to cross flooded roadways.

09/16/2026

▪️ROAD CONDITIONS ADVISORY: CORNFIELDS, ARIZONA▪️

5:35 p.m./Sept. 16, 2026

Please use caution and slow down your speed south of Route 15, in Cornfields, Arizona.

Parts of the roadway are flooded or may have debris and mud.

09/16/2026

COMMUNITY NOTICE: CHINLE DISTRICT

The Navajo Police Department Chinle District, Navajo Nation Fire & Rescue Services Chinle Station and Navajo Department of Health Community Health Reps will be conducting welfare and damage assessments in the Chinle Valley area TODAY from 3 PM-4:30 PM.

They will be wearing vests and carrying identification stating which department they are affiliated with.

FYI: A operational meeting took place this morning with various responding personnel regarding yesterday’s flooding in Chinle, Ariz.

The following updates have been provided:

—No injuries reported, however, there was an emergency evacuation conducted for a pregnant woman. She is in stable condition.

—Three impacted families were placed in nearby hotels coordinated by the Chinle Chapter House.

—Even though a lot of water has receded in the area, numerous roads are still not passable.

—Community members are encouraged to be extremely careful around flooded areas and advised to never pass flooded roads or washes.

—If you can, avoid travel during heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

(Photo taken on 9/16/26 at 2:09 p.m. on State Route 550, in Crownpoint, N.M.)

09/16/2026

Three Drown in Newcomb Area Early This Morning

NEWCOMB, N.M. – This morning, at approximately 12:30 a.m., the Navajo Police Department Shiprock District responded to a possible drowning, after receiving a report of people being washed away in a nearby flooded area.

Responding officers arrived on scene and searched the area, along with the Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue Newcomb and Shiprock Stations, Navajo EMS, and the 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue.

Two adults and a juvenile were found to have drowned and pronounced deceased in this incident. This incident remains under investigation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected. We respectfully ask the community to honor the family’s privacy during this time.

09/16/2026

COMMUNITY NOTICE UPDATE: KAYENTA & DILKON DISTRICTS

9:05 a.m./Sept. 16, 2026

The dispatch phone lines have been restored and is now operating for the NPD Kayenta and Dilkon Districts. Please discontinue the use of their Alternate Dispatch phone numbers.

You can return to using the regular emergency dispatch phone numbers for the Kayenta District at (928) 697-5600 and the NPD Dilkon District at (928) 657-8075.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

09/16/2026

Tohatchi Man Charged with Murder in Fatal Shooting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2026

ALBUQUERQUE – A Tohatchi man is facing federal charges for allegedly shooting and killing another man during a confrontation in an arroyo.

According to court documents, on September 8, 2026, law enforcement officers responded to an arroyo near Yah-Ta-Hey, New Mexico, within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation, where they found the victim deceased with an apparent gunshot wound to the torso.

Investigators determined that the previous day, Jason Duboise, 39, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, and several members of his family had gone looking for the victim following an incident involving another family member. According to witnesses, members of the group chased the victim toward the arroyo, and at least one person was carrying a rope.

Duboise told investigators that he and another man followed the victim into the arroyo to confront him. Duboise alleged that the victim picked up a rock and attempted to throw it at the other man, at which point Duboise drew a firearm and fired at the victim.

Duboise claimed that he intended to fire a warning shot but admitted that he pointed the pistol at the victim when he discharged the weapon. Duboise left the victim in the arroyo without contacting law enforcement. Investigators later recovered the firearm that Duboise identified as the one used in the shooting from a vehicle parked outside his residence.

Duboise is charged with second degree murder. He will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Duboise faces up to life in prison.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

# # #

Jason Duboise is facing federal charges for allegedly shooting and killing another man during a confrontation in an arroyo.

09/16/2026

COMMUNITY NOTICE: DILKON & KAYENTA DISTRICTS

9:58 p.m./Sept. 15, 2026

Due to the current weather conditions, there is a power outage for the Navajo Police Department Dilkon & Kayenta Districts. The main dispatch phone lines are not working at this time. Please use their temporary dispatch numbers, for all emergencies:

Dilkon: (928) 637-5118.
Kayenta: (928) 637-5930

Thank you for your understanding. The NPD will update the status once it becomes available.

09/16/2026

⚠️ FLOODING ALERT⚠️
CHINLE DISTRICT

WHAT: Heavy rainfall from today’s afternoon thunderstorms have caused significant flooding.

WHERE: Along U.S. Highway 191, Mileposts 451-455, in Chinle, Arizona.

IMPACT: Residential roadways are flooded.

—Navajo Police Department Chinle District, Navajo EMS, and Navajo Nation Fire & Rescue are assessing the area and checking on residents. Some residents have reported flooding inside their homes.

—Please slow down for first responders in the area and use extra caution when passing through.

—The threat of flooding is expected to continue into late tonight and Thursday morning.

—Have a plan in place in case flash flooding develops near you or you lose power.

—Please make sure that you remain weather aware, as conditions can change rapidly.