In the small community of Bylas, Arizona, the life of 20-year-old Tashon Brad Gambler was cut short on the evening of Friday, March 6, 2026. A cherished son and devoted father, his sudden and violent death sent ripples of grief through the San Carlos Apache Reservation. The incident that claimed Gambler's life unfolded near the Bylas Fitness Center, where he was fatally shot. After sustaining serious injuries, he was rushed to a nearby hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead.
The San Carlos Apache Police Department, with the assistance of the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, launched an immediate investigation into the homicide. Their efforts quickly led to a person of interest, and an arrest was made in connection with the deadly shooting. The suspect was identified as 24-year-old Brandon Hinton. Law enforcement officers apprehended Hinton along U.S. Highway 70, and at the time of his arrest, he was reportedly in possession of a handgun.
The community was left mourning the loss of a young man known for a legacy of love and laughter. Funeral services were announced to be held at the Lighthouse Assembly of God, with a burial at the Black Point Cemetery, allowing family and friends to pay their final respects to Tashon Brad Gambler. While an arrest has been made, the investigation into the shooting remains active and ongoing. Authorities have not yet publicly released a motive for the shooting or specified the formal charges filed against Brandon Hinton as the legal process begins. The San Carlos Apache Police Department has encouraged anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
