LAME DEER, Montana — On the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, there’s a fire burning in remembrance of an eight-year old boy who was shot dead, the victim of what is being investigated as a homicide.
There’s also a fire burning among tribal council members, passionate about improving safety on the reservation.
“Our community is hurting right now,” says a group of Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council members gathered in council chambers in Lame Deer.
“We had a shooting incident on Wednesday night. It is very heavy, you can feel the heaviness in the area. It affects everyone. There’s the families, they are hit hard with it, but we all know these families. We’re friends with them, we’re related to them,” says Nizhoni Friesz, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council member.
“It’s tragic that our grandson, that he lost his life because of a power struggle or their lack of attention to our crisis here,” says Melissa Lonebear, the grandmother of the victim, who is also a Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council member.
While few details are being released, many are trying to make sense of the tragedy following the death of the elementary school student from St. Labre.
“It was an unfortunate incident that happened. Northern Cheyenne is now working with the FBI,” says John Grinsell, director of Northern Cheyenne Investigations Services.
With the suspect at large, the tribal council has ordered an executive order enforcing a night-time curfew from 9pm unti 6am until the suspect is caught.
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"If you see something, say something. We really need the community's help in solving this, and that goes for all situations on the reservation,” says Friesz.
Many say there are a lot of situations currently being investigated by the recently created NCIS, or Northern Cheyenne Investigative Services.
Tribal council members say more officers are needed in this community with only three on shift at a time left to patrol a vast reservation of 440,000 acres.
“I’ve also spoken to law enforcement earlier today and they have reassured us that anyone who comes forward, any kind of witness is able to be protected if they feel their life is in danger,” says Friesz.
Specific information regarding the shooting is not being released while the investigation continues, but NCIS encourages anyone to call with tips or information: 406-477-7100.
The family is accepting donations in this time of tragedy to help pay for unexpected expenses. Payments may be made via venmo by scanning the QR code below, or by clicking here.
