Mitchell Forbes

Special for The Republic

WINSLOW - More than 200 people gathered Saturday afternoon outside the Winslow Police Department to both honor the life of Loreal Tsingine, a shoplifting suspect shot dead March 27 by a police officer, and call for an unbiased investigation into the case.

“Every Navajo life matters,” Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye told the crowd, promising that the Nation would sue the town of Winslow if Tsingine's death was not appropriately addressed by the police department.

Police officials have asked the Arizona Department of Public Safety to investigate the fatal use of force, which police say occurred after Tsingine, 27, brandished a pair of scissors during a confrontation with an officer. She was shot five times.

Members of the Navajo Nation, whose reservation borders the Winslow community about 60 miles east of Flagstaff, have said Tsingine suffered discrimination and excessive force. Begays said Saturday that the Nation will demand that the U.S. Department of Justice launch a separate investigation.

Navajo woman's death at hands of Winslow officer sparks outcry

An Albuquerque-based Native rights organization, the Red Nation, organized Saturday’s event in partnership with Tsingine’s family. Opening the vigil was Melanie Yazzie, a Red Nation representative.

“I am not happy to be here today,” Yazzie said. “We’re here to demand justice.”

A number of speakers and supporters said justice would mean that the officer, whose name has not been released, faces criminal charges in the fatal shooting, saying that the use of deadly force was uncalled for.

DPS investigating fatal shooting by Winslow police

The altercation took place a couple of blocks away from a convenience store where a clerk had reported a theft, said Lt. Jim Sepi, a spokesman for the Winslow Police Department.

The officer approached Tsingine, who fit the clerk's description according to police: a Native American woman wearing gray sweatpants and a white top.

“No one should have to pay for a crime the way she did,” a tearful Floranda Dempsey, Tsingine's aunt, told the crowd. “We’re not after the uniform. We’re after the individual.”

Phil Stago, of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, said he was outraged that the officer responded with fatal force.

“I want [Winslow Police] Chief Garnett to come before me and tell me why she was killed,” Stago said. “If she had an AK-47, I would understand. But a pair of scissors?”

Tsingine's family said they supported the town but expressed mistrust of Winslow police, saying that the entire police force should resign.

“They’re going to try to cover this up,” Dempsey said.

There was no visible police presence at the vigil, but all streets around the Winslow police headquarters were closed to vehicles before the event.

Tsignine’s family say funeral services will be held for her Tuesday and that she will be buried next to her parents in Winslow.