Staff Reports
A man who reportedly brought a firearm onto Rehoboth Christian School’s campus, leading to a school lockdown was located by Navajo Nation Police after Gallup Police sent out a search warrant for him.
On April 8, around 1:53 pm, Gallup Police Officers were dispatched to 10 Ute Circle after receiving a a call regarding a suicidal threat. The caller identified the man threatening to hurt himself as Avery Curley, 28.
When officers arrived at the scene, they determined Curley was no longer there. During their investigation, officers located Curley’s vehicle at Rehoboth Christian School, 211 Tse Yaaniichi St., Rehoboth, N.M.
Officers were informed that Curley possessed a .308 caliber rifle and ammunition, and he’d allegedly made suicidal statements. Officers immediately responded and located Curley’s vehicle in the south parking lot, near the church.
There was no information about direct threats made to the school or any staff members.
Rehoboth Christian School was placed on lockdown as a precaution and officers confirmed no one was in the vehicle. Officers then initiated a search for Curley and the firearm.
The FBI and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance on this investigation.
An alleged victim was interviewed by the Gallup Police and they reported being struck by a vehicle driven by Curley.
Law enforcement located a .308 caliber rifle and a carton of ammunition inside the vehicle. Curley fled the scene on foot.
At the time, he was wanted for aggravated battery against a household member (deadly weapon) and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises.
Navajo Nation Police reportedly found Curley on April 9 near the Hogback Mountains. No other information was available at press time.
