Ex-rodeo champ killed in ranch shooting

GRANTS, N.M., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Legendary New Mexico rodeo cowboy Sonny Jim has been slain in a shooting incident that erupted over an argument about a fence, police say.

Jim, a Navajo Indian in his 70s who won world championships as a rodeo star in the 1980s, was shot to death Friday along with his friend, Wayne Johnson, near Grants, N.M., allegedly by the owner of a neighboring ranch who had been arguing with Johnson over property lines, KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, reported.

The neighbor, Danny Stanfield, faces charges of murder, aggravated assault and tampering with communications because he allegedly kicked a cellphone out of the hands of one the victims as he attempted to call for help.

Stanfield remained jailed without bond at the Cibola County, N.M., Detention Center.

KOAT reported that Sonny Jim was remembered Sunday at the International Indian Rodeo Finals in Farmington, N.M., where fans and fellow cowboys lauded the toughness, character and charisma he brought to the sport.