A man suspected in a stabbing incident at Sunset Crater National Monument has been apprehended, Coconino County Sheriff's officials report. The suspect, Brandon Begay, 31, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, following an altercation that began near U.S. Highway 89 and Silver Saddle Road. According to the AZ Daily Sun, the situation unfolded as Begay allegedly exited a vehicle in a reportedly intoxicated state and narrowly avoided being hit by oncoming traffic around 2:47 p.m.
The series of events led to a more severe encounter at the monument's visitor center, where authorities were alerted that Begay and another man were seen before Begay left on foot. FOX 10 Phoenix reports that the victim, who was driving the white Ford Fusion, was later found by authorities with stab wounds. He was able to inform officers that the individual who had fled was the assailant. His injuries, however, are not life-threatening.
In response to the incident, deputies conducted a search that led to a brief mistaken arrest. "During a search of the campground and surrounding area, a male matching the description was spotted on Forest Road 776," the Coconino County Sheriff's Office recounted, as noted by FOX 10 Phoenix. This individual fled upon contact but was subsequently detained. Despite the initial belief that he was the suspect, it was confirmed he was not the perpetrator, but he was found to have outstanding warrants and was thus taken into custody.
The investigation proceeded; the true suspect, Begay, was located near the visitor's center. "He informed officers that the individual who had left on foot from the visitor center was the suspect," CCSO indicated in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix. After being taken into custody, Begay was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility as charges were pressed for his involvement in the unfortunate event.
