A grand jury has formally indicted 27-year-old Adam Montoya on charges related to the tragic shooting death of his 1-year-old daughter, an incident that allegedly occurred in the presence of the child’s mother.
The Show Low Police Department responded to a distressing emergency call on February 3, 2024, regarding a shooting at a residence in Show Low, Arizona.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that an infant had suffered a gunshot wound.
According to the Navajo County Attorney’s Office, Montoya allegedly shot his daughter with an AR-15 rifle in front of the child’s mother.
Timber Mesa Fire and Medical personnel arrived at the scene and provided emergency medical assistance before transporting the infant to Summit Regional Medical Center in Show Low.
Despite life-saving efforts, the child was pronounced deceased.
Following the investigation, a grand jury returned an indictment against Montoya, charging him with:
Second-degree murder
Child abuse
Montoya remains in custody on a $1 million bond as he awaits legal proceedings.
A pre-trial conference and release hearing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 6 in Navajo County Superior Court.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting, and it remains unclear what circumstances led to the tragic incident. The case continues to be investigated by the Show Low Police Department in collaboration with the Navajo County Attorney’s Office.
Law enforcement officials encourage anyone with additional information related to the case to contact the Show Low Police Department or Navajo County authorities.