Zuni Pueblo Man Receives 12 Year Federal Prison Sentence for Shotgun Attack on Occupied Vehicle

Cody Laweka received a 12 year federal sentence for firing a shotgun at an occupied car on the Zuni Pueblo. He was on supervised release at the time.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 12:12 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico

Violent Confrontation on the Zuni Pueblo

The sentencing of Cody Laweka concludes a federal investigation into a shooting that occurred on the evening of February 2, 2025. According to official court records, Laweka traveled with an associate to a residence on the Pueblo of Zuni, where he obtained a shotgun from the bed of a truck. Upon arriving at the target home, Laweka exited the vehicle and fired the weapon at least twice at a car parked outside. At the time of the discharge, the vehicle was occupied by an individual identified in legal filings as John Doe.

Evasion and Subsequent Apprehension

Following the shooting, Laweka fled the scene and attempted to dispose of the evidence by tossing the shotgun along a nearby highway. The Federal Bureau of Investigation tracked Laweka to another residence on the Zuni Pueblo the following day. When law enforcement arrived to apprehend him, Laweka attempted to flee on foot but was eventually taken into custody. Despite extensive searches by investigators, the firearm used in the assault was never recovered, though Laweka later admitted to firing the weapon during a custodial interview.

Legal Ramifications and Prior Criminal History

The severity of the 12 year sentence reflects both the dangerous nature of the assault and Laweka's existing criminal record. At the time of the shotgun attack, Laweka was still under federal supervised release for a previous felony conviction. His actions constituted a direct violation of his release conditions, leading to a guilty plea for assault with a dangerous weapon and the use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Federal prosecutors emphasized that the discharge of the weapon posed a lethal threat to the community, regardless of the fact that no one was struck by the gunfire.