CHINLE, Arizona — A serious Chinle High School altercation unfolded on March 28, 2025, prompting a swift response from Navajo Police Department Chinle District officers. The incident began when a school liaison officer got into a physical confrontation with an intoxicated student at the school. Things escalated quickly as the student’s family members jumped into the fray, leading to the student striking both the officer and a school staff member during the chaos.

Navajo Police arrived on the scene at Chinle High School, located off Highway 191, and took multiple individuals into custody, including the intoxicated student and the involved family members. To ensure safety, the school initiated a full lockdown, halting all activities while police secured the area. Authorities have since confirmed there’s no ongoing threat to students or staff, but the incident shook the community. The Chinle Unified School District will send a separate notice to parents with further details about the event and next steps.

This isn’t the first time Chinle High School has faced trouble—back in 2019, a student brought a gun to campus, leading to a similar lockdown that made headlines across the Navajo Nation. The school serves over 1,000 students, many of whom come from surrounding areas in the Chinle District, making it a central hub for education on the reservation. The Navajo Police Department reiterated their commitment to protecting students and staff, emphasizing their role in keeping schools safe from harm. They’re still investigating what led to the intoxicated student’s behavior and why the family got involved, with more answers expected soon.

For now, the focus is on getting the school back to normal after the Chinle High School altercation. Parents and locals are urged to stay calm but vigilant, and the police are asking anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the full story of this unsettling event.