On March 1, 1973, Larry Casuse and Robert Nakaidinae kidnapped Mayor Emmett Frankie Garcia from his office and paraded him across part of town. The kidnapping resulted in a gun fight during which the mayor was wounded by police as he fled his abductors. Mr. Casuse was shot and killed during the incident. Mr. Casuse was a student at the university and president of the Indians Against Exploitation organization. Mayor Garcia had been named to the New Mexico Board of Regents that week and announced an intention to open an alcohol rehab program. Casuse was enraged not only at the Board of Regents post, but also at Garcia's hypocrisy in planning a rehab program while being part owner of a liquor store, the Navajo Inn. Casuse attempted to hold the mayor accountable for the number of liquor licenses the city issued and alcohol related deaths of the Navajo/Diné people. Mayor Garcia continued to serve his term of office after his recovery and raised his family in Gallup. He lost his bid for reelection at the end of the term. He passed away in September of 2011.