Northern Cheyenne Shooting/ Lockdown Update

LAME DEER, Mont. – Last week, Native Sun News Today (NSNT) carried a story about a law and order disaster which occurred during the third week of October in Lame Deer. At that printing, many facts about the “drive-by” shooting homicide were unclear.

Since then, the shooter, tribal member Clifford Russell III turned himself into local reservation law enforcement and pled guilty, expressing great remorse as the eight-year old victim was part of the shooter’s extended family.

The Tribal Court which has jurisdiction over such crimes quickly (within a day) sentenced Russell to the maximum sentence allowed under the tribal law and order code: four years and eleven months. It is unclear where Russell where will serve. Federal officials could still step in and further prosecute the case, but no information has been provided on whether this will occur.

In the meantime, other passengers who were in the vehicle when the shooting occurred are still at large and local law enforcement is searching for them. However, one local elder indicated an all-time low level of confidence in local reservation law enforcement. “The cops here can’t catch a stray cat or a dog,” she said. “In think they are afraid of real criminals who might have guns”,

In the meantime, the Reservation is still under an Executive Order Reservation-wide Lockdown and Curfew (9:00 pm – 6pm) issued by the Tribal President Serena Wetherwelt earlier in October, a day after the fatal drive-by shooting. And, no further information about the status or reasoning for the continued “Lock Down” has been publicly posted. “Maybe we’ll just have to learn to live this way.” said Lynwood Tallbull. “Makes the cops jobs easier.

In the meantime, the community of Lame Deer has been plagued by a variety of other crimes. Of note, the other reservation towns (Busby, Birney and Ashland) have not experienced such problems on a large scale. On Sunday morning, November 1, a shooter fired shots from across the Cheyenne Depot located on Cheyenne Avenue, the main street in Lame Deer. After two shoots were fired, BIA law enforcement arrived. The suspect, a young woman had fled the scene, threw her backpack into the weeds and unsuccessfully attempted to enter some people’s house. (Note: the majority of home owners in Lame Deer are now keeping their doors securely locked). That suspect was apprehended.

In another development, there is apparently a gang (or gangs) of young predators who have been regularly attacking other young people, beating them and robbing them. This writer is personally aware of several instances, from accounts provided by witnesses as victims or family members. Apparently, the assailants dress in black hoodies, ranging from 5-6 per group, young people.

One victim was from another reservation, for some reasons winding up in Lame Deer. He was approached by a group of young people, who beat him up, robbing him of his backpack which included all his earthly possessions. That victim wound up in the I.H.S. emergency room, attended to and released. He later approached an elderly lady at the A.T.M., telling her what happened and asked for money, because he was hungry. She obliged, horrified that Cheyenne would treat a visitor or each other in such a manner.

“I know he was telling the truth,” she said. “Because he ran right over to the IGA store.”

In another instance, related by the victim, a clerk at the Cheyenne Depot was across the street on a ‘smoke break’, (where much of this violence occurs). He too, was attacked by a gang of youngsters, severely beaten with a baseball bat. He now suffers from a smashed jaw, wired together and is in terrific pain. He opened his mouth to show a horrific dental mess and the wiring holding his jaw together.

“Did you turn them in?” this writer asked. “Do you know who they are?”

“Yes, to both,” he replied. “Almost everybody has a clue who they are, but the cops don’t do anything.”

Third, about two weeks ago, two young students were walking to the Lame Deer School They were attacked on a bridge crossing Lame Deer Creek which leads to the school, and then thrown off the bridge. The young girl victim broke her arm and the young man is still currently hospitalized, perhaps facing life as a quadriplegic.

Finally, as the weather becomes cold and food is harder to get, stray dog attacks on the reservation seem to be on the rise. Last Sunday, for example, a young boy (estimated from age 8-10 years old was walking to a birthday party held at a local church. He decided to stop by the Boy’s and Girl’s, located in mid-Lame Deer hoping they might be open (which they have been from time-time during odd hours during this time of tumult). It was not open, but a pack of dogs had taken up residence near the front door. (This is no way the responsibility of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club which maintains safety and security for Club members when open).

One of the large dogs managed to knock the boy down whereupon the remaining pack attacked. Fortunately, a passing motorist called Law Enforcement and EMTs who arrived on a timely basis. The young lad was taken to the ER, bandaged for his wounds and released him, actually delivering him to the birthday party.

One of my cousins, was attending to the party, horrified to see the condition of young boy. And then, they noticed a ruckus outside the church, actually near the notorious ‘bridge’. An ambulance and police car were there, but the parishioners did not go out to check on the situation.

These are only few of the incidents which have been brought to attention. It’s hard to know if there are others, because little or no public information is provided to the reservation community by law enforcement.

Many of the candidates seeking election to tribal office have mentioned the need to improve law and order and public safety on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. However, it remains to be seen what will be proposed and if those measures can be effectively implemented.

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennevoice1@gmail.com)

The post Northern Cheyenne Shooting/ Lockdown Update first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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