A Zuni man has been charged following an hours-long armed standoff with law enforcement on the Zuni Pueblo reservation. Eric Bowannie, 26, was apprehended after firing multiple shots at FBI agents and tribal police officers who were responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Bowannie, an enrolled member of the Zuni Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial. The trial date has not yet been scheduled.
The incident occurred on July 6, 2024, in Zuni, New Mexico. According to the criminal complaint, a family disturbance escalated when Bowannie barricaded himself inside a residence. He allegedly fired upon Zuni Police Department officers outside the home. As more officers arrived, Bowannie reportedly charged at them with an ax before retrieving a shotgun from a nearby bedroom and firing at the officers.
FBI agents responded to the scene and ordered Bowannie to exit the residence with his hands up, but he refused to comply. Throughout the standoff, Bowannie moved between the front door and windows, firing multiple rounds. He was also observed at the back of the residence holding a rifle.
The standoff ended when Bowannie crawled out of the back of the residence and was spotted approximately a quarter mile away attempting to flee. He surrendered to local law enforcement after being given commands.
A search of the residence recovered 57 .22 caliber casings and five spent shotgun shells both inside and outside the home. In a subsequent interview, Bowannie admitted that he was not supposed to possess firearms due to active felony warrants. He stated his initial plan was 'suicide by cop' but changed his mind after speaking with his 'baby mama.' Bowannie also admitted to firing shots at FBI agents and considering shooting at a police officer before ultimately deciding to surrender.
If convicted of the current charges, Bowannie faces up to 27 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Ry Ellison and Kirk Williams are prosecuting the case.