Brandon Hyden, a 40-year-old resident of Tuba City, Arizona, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for second degree murder and five years for assault with a dangerous weapon. The sentences will be served 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.
Hyden had previously pleaded guilty to both charges. According to court documents, on January 26, 2025, Hyden shot an unarmed man six times in a parking lot at a business in Tuba City, resulting in the victim’s death. About thirty minutes later, he shot another unarmed individual four times in a residential area within Tuba City limits. The second victim survived after several weeks of hospitalization and intensive medical care.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine stated: “Hyden has been brought to account for his senseless acts of violence that took a life and forever altered others. 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. 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.”
Hyden is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Navajo Nation Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The prosecution was handled 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/
