Deputies from the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the car wash in Tse Bonito in reference to a subject pointing a rifle at the Navajo Police Aug. 4.

It was reported that earlier that day the male subject had attempted an armed robbery at the Chevron in the Window Rock area. Deputies arrived on scene and assisted Navajo Nation Police. The suspect, now identified as Randall Redhair, 34, of Window Rock, had exited the dark-in-color Chevy Avalanche he was driving, and was hiding between a propane tank and propane shed located east of the car wash.

As a result of this incident, Highway 264 both east and west was closed. Traffic was diverted around Coal Mine Road to avoid the Tse Bonito area.

It was determined MCSO would take over the apprehension of the suspect. At about 7:30 pm after verbal negotiations had failed, the Sheriff’s Office made the determination to apprehend the suspect. There was information that the suspect’s rifle was an air rifle and it was wrapped in a blanket.

Sheriff’s deputies approached Redhair, utilizing ballistic shields and a K-9. The suspect refused to comply with commands and fired the air rifle in the vicinity of the deputies. Deputies deployed a Taser and successfully hit the subject. MCSO deputies took the air rifle from Redhair and handcuffed him. The weapon was recovered and turned over to the Navajo Nation Police. The scene was then turned over to Navajo Nation Police for processing.

Redhair was booked into McKinley County Adult Detention Center for aggravated assault upon a peace officer.