ZUNI PUEBLO – Two Zuni men have been charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in the Zuni Pueblo. Both Christopher Hannaweekee Sr., 48, and his son Christopher Hannaweekee Jr., 29, were charged for a January 27 assault that allegedly took place in Zuni Pueblo. Both Hannaweekee Sr. and Jr. are enrolled members of the Zuni Pueblo.
According to a criminal complaint, Hannaweekee Sr. and Jr. were driving down an undisclosed road in the Zuni Pueblo when they ran over a dog. This was witnessed by several people including the mother of the victim, who told the unnamed victim about the incident. The victim went running after the vehicle Hannaweekee Sr. and Jr. were in.
According to the criminal complaint, which is just an allegation, Hannaweekee Sr. and Jr. were with a third man who has not been identified. They allegedly put the vehicle in park and exited the vehicle, with at least one of the three men carrying an unidentified blunt object which they used to strike the victim over the head. According to the criminal complaint, the three men continued to punch and kick the victim, causing him to bleed and require surgery before they fled the scene.
The United States Department of Justice said in a statement that this incident was witnessed by multiple people. At least one of the witnesses was able to positively identify Hannaweekee Jr. as an assailant in this alleged incident.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Hannaweeke Sr. and Hannaweeke Jr. face up to 10 years in prison.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Albuquerque Field Office is investigating this case with assistance from Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillion is prosecuting this case.