A Navajo County grand jury has indicted 27-year-old Adam Joseph Montoya in the shocking fatal shooting of his 1-year-old daughter using an AR-style rifle. The February 3 incident in Show Low, Arizona marks one of the state's youngest gun violence victims in recent history.
Prosecutors allege Montoya committed the act in the presence of the child's mother at their home 180 miles northeast of Phoenix. This represents every parent's worst nightmare, stated a local law enforcement source familiar with the case.
The indictment includes two felony charges:
- Second-degree murder
- Child abuse resulting in death
Court records show Montoya entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment last week. Navajo County authorities emphasize the $1 million bond reflects the severity of allegations against the defendant.
Our office cannot comment on active investigations, but we remain committed to seeking justice for the victim,a county attorney spokesperson stated.
This case highlights three critical issues in Arizona:
1. Rising firearm accessibility concerns
2. Child abuse case frequency (14% increase since 2020 per DHS data)
3. Rural community law enforcement challenges
Show Low Police Department continues collaborating with state forensic experts to analyze crime scene evidence. Neighbors describe the incident as completely out of character for the family, though officials confirm prior domestic disturbance calls at the residence.
Montoya's next court hearing is scheduled for August 22. If convicted on both charges, Arizona sentencing guidelines permit 16-25 years imprisonment for second-degree murder coupled with 17+ years for fatal child abuse.