In the early morning hours of March 20, 2023, the life of 25-year-old Salimon Franko Nava Sr., a Hispanic man, was cut short in his lifelong home of Billings, Montana. He was found deceased from a gunshot wound at a residence in the 1300 block of Avenue F. Billings Police Department officers responded to the scene around 3:02 AM. In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement stated that all individuals involved in the incident were accounted for, yet no arrests were made in connection with the
shooting.
The lack of an arrest quickly became a point of contention for Nava's family and friends. They organized protests, including one at the Yellowstone County Courthouse, voicing their frustration and demanding justice. Nava's mother, Jesse Villarreal, publicly stated her belief that her son was the victim of an execution and not an act of self-defense. She identified his girlfriend as the alleged shooter and described her as often being the aggressor in their relationship, claiming she would instigate fights with her son. The family's public outcry highlighted what they perceived as a miscarriage of justice.
Salimon Franko Nava Sr. was a father to a son and a daughter. His family remembered him as a man with a kind heart who was dedicated to his loved ones. He was a 2016 Golden Gloves Champion with Billings Elite Boxing and was known for his strong work ethic in various construction-related fields. His death left a significant void in the lives of his family and friends, and the circumstances surrounding it have continued to be a source of concern within the community. While his family's allegations were made public, information regarding any official suspects or arrests in the case has not been released.
