Prosecutor alleges Everett woman sought death of Arizona rival

ARIVACA, Ariz. — Prosecutors now say they think former Everett resident Shawna Forde was part of a conspiracy to rub out a co-defendant’s rival in the Arizona drug trade.

Prosecutors alleged in court papers that Arivaca resident Albert Gaxiola helped murder neighbor Raul Flores Jr. because he “belonged to a competing drug gang.”

Flores was shot along with his 9-year-old daughter, Brisenia, in their Arivaca home in May 2009. The girl’s mother was shot but survived and fired at the assailants, apparently wounding co-defendant Jason Bush.

Until now, prosecutors have said the robbery was motivated by Forde’s desire to steal money and drugs to finance her anti-illegal immigrant activities.

However, a Pima County Superior Court document filed Sept. 20 said, “Gaxiola had allegedly been involved in conversations relating to killing Junior Flores, who belonged to a competing drug gang, and in hiring Forde and Bush to eliminate the competition.”

Minutes after the murders, at 1:33 a.m. on May 30, 2009, a text message was sent from Gaxiola’s phone to Forde’s phone saying, “Cops on scene. Lay low,” according to a court papers.

About 25 minutes later, a message from Forde’s phone to Gaxiola’s phone said, “No worries, all good, competition gone.”

Forde’s lawyer, Eric Larsen, asked that the first text message be excluded from the record because it would violate her constitutional right to confront and cross examine Gaxiola. He would presumably be unavailable at trial because he could invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege not to incriminate himself, the document said.

Prosecutors Kelly Johnson and Rick Unklesbay argued that allowing the text to be introduced at trial would not violate Forde’s rights because that applies to testimony given at trial and the text message is not “testimonial.”

Superior Court Judge John Leonardo agreed with the prosecution and Sept. 20 decided jurors can be told about the text messages.

Forde, 42, Gaxiola, 42, and Bush, 35, of Meadview, Ariz., are awaiting trial on first-degree murder and other charges. If convicted, Forde, Bush and Gaxiola could face the death penalty.

Forde and Gaxiola are being tried together and Bush is being tried separately after giving statements to investigators implicating the other two.

Forde was leader of Minutemen American Defense, a group she created with the stated mission of fighting drug smuggling and illegal immigration. Officials from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the group hoped to steal drugs and money from Flores to fund their operations.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

x
$14.5M property tax levy lid lift moves forward in Edmonds

After a public hearing, the City Council voted 5-2 to place the resolution on next week’s consent agenda for final approval.

Mikki Burkholder, left, and Sean Seifert pull drafts Friday afternoon at 5 Rights Brewery in Marysville on October 8, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
5 Rights celebrates 10 years in Marysville

During a challenging time for the US craft beer industry, 5 Rights continues to enjoy growth and an uptick in sales.

Wine is illuminated on a large win rack at the center of the main room at Long Shadows Woodinville Tasting Room & Key Club Lounge on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 in Woodinville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two winery restaurants in Woodinville stand out

You wouldn’t expect to get world-class pizza at a winery,… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.