Vangie Randall-Shorty recalls the moment she first held her son as a feeling of unconditional love. That love is still present today, despite the tragic loss of Zachariah Shorty.
“Every day, I carry him in my heart,” Vangie expressed as she spoke about the swirl of emotions that engulfed her when she found out that federal officials had charged three individuals in connection with Zachariah’s murder on the Navajo Nation back in 2020.
Vangie had been longing for answers, telling herself yearly that justice for her 23-year-old son would finally arrive. That moment came when the U.S. Department of Justice revealed the outcomes of its latest efforts under Operation Not Forgotten.
This year, more than 60 FBI agents, analysts, and support staff were placed in various field offices across ten states—including Albuquerque, Phoenix, Seattle, and Minneapolis. Over the course of six months, these teams looked into unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country. Their aim? To tackle the ongoing crisis of disappearances and murders that burden many Native American communities.
According to federal data, Native Americans face some of the highest rates of violent crime amongst all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. As of the start of the 2025 fiscal year, the FBI’s Indian Country program had nearly 4,300 open probes, covering more than 900 death cases, 1,000 child abuse cases, and over 500 domestic violence and sexual abuse cases.
This year’s initiatives under the FBI led to 1,123 arrests and the confiscation of over 300 weapons. Additionally, more than 450 children who had been victimized were located or identified.
FBI Director Kash Patel recognized the complexities brought about by large jurisdictions and limited resources, describing Operation Not Forgotten as a significant stride toward achieving justice for tribal communities.
The movement to shed light on this crisis has persisted for years. Former President Donald Trump was the inaugural president to formally address the issue, issuing an executive order during his first term that established a task force to manage the high rates of homicides and disappearances affecting Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Moreover, former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland initiated a national commission aimed at uncovering methods to bridge jurisdictional gaps that often facilitate crime within tribal jurisdictions.
This year’s operation is noted as the longest and most rigorous allocation of FBI resources to Indian Country crime to date.
Advocates assert that such investment in resources ought to be made enduring. There is a real fear that these cases may continue to languish due to diminishing federal support in the field.
Vangie believes that the enhanced resources contributed to breaking new ground in her son’s case.
She frequently finds herself reflecting on what Zachariah might have achieved if his life hadn’t been cut short. A proud father, Zachariah had a passion for art and music, and dreamt of becoming a tattoo artist, a talent she showcased with the inked treble clef tattoo adorning her hand.
Zachariah was last spotted at the Journey Inn Motel in Farmington, New Mexico, where he had gone out with friends to create music. Tragically, he was located days later in a nearby field within the Navajo community of Nenahnezad, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
The recent indictments provide scant details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting or how Zachariah was related to the individuals charged with his death. Defenders of those accused have shared that they have yet to be given any relevant information about the case.
Austin Begay, aged 31, is facing charges for first-degree murder, while Jaymes Fage, 38, is accused of aiding and abetting. Both are Navajo men along with another defendant, 40-year-old Joshua Watkins, who also faces charges for allegedly lying to the authorities to cover up the murder.
For five long years, Vangie has dedicated her efforts to maintaining visibility for her son’s case. She has attended town hall meetings, gatherings for prayer, and community marches to advocate for cleaner resolutions not only for her son but for countless families in need. While she feels encouraged by the recent charges, the next phase is likely to be emotionally taxing as she continues to mourn her son.
“My heart is heavy,” she admitted. “Yet, I vow to keep advocating for Zach and to be his voice.”
