US News
Family remembers New Mexico man killed in rare bear attack inside his home
Relatives of Benjamin Halona shared details of the fatal incident in the Navajo Nation community of Crystal following a recent warning about rising bear encounters.
The short version
- Benjamin Halona, 67, was fatally mauled by a bear that entered his home in Crystal, New Mexico, on August 20, 2026.
- A responding police officer shot and killed the bear after family members arrived and honked a vehicle horn to drive the animal away.
- Relatives recalled Halona's life as a former wildland firefighter and food vendor while coping with the loss following funeral services on August 29.
Key facts
- Benjamin Halona, 67, was killed on August 20, 2026, when a bear entered his residence in the Navajo Nation community of Crystal, New Mexico.[The Guardian]
- Halona was recovering from a severe seizure that had restricted his mobility, requiring the use of a walker or wheelchair.[The Guardian]
- Halona's stepson discovered the animal inside the house, barricaded himself in a room, and called emergency services and relatives for help.[The Guardian]
- Police subsequently shot and killed the bear after it exited the residence.[The Guardian]
- State wildlife authorities had issued a warning eight days prior to the incident regarding heightened human-bear conflicts in New Mexico driven by severe drought.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The precise circumstances of how the bear gained entry into the home remain unverified, though relatives speculated Halona may have unlocked the front door believing his stepson was returning.[The Guardian]