The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation is mourning after a shooting Friday evening in New Town, North Dakota, on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, located in the nortwest part of the state, left two people dead and another injured.
The injured victim was transported to Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota. One of the people killed has been identified as Marc Smith Jr., 23, of New Town. Authorities have not publicly identified the second person killed in the shooting.
Immediately after the shooting, Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement Services issued a shelter-in-place order as law enforcement officers searched for armed suspects.
Four suspects have been apprehended.
The FBI is leading the investigation under the Major Crimes Act, with assistance from tribal law enforcement and other local, state and federal agencies.
The shelter-in-place order for New Town and Four Bears was issued at approximately 10:28 p.m. Friday. The MHA Emergency Operations Center reported that two armed men dressed in black were believed to be on foot in the New Town area. Residents were instructed to remain inside, lock their doors and stay away from windows.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted at 6:10 a.m. Saturday after the MHA Emergency Operations Center determined there was no longer a threat to public safety. Authorities later confirmed that four suspects had been apprehended.
MHA Nation Chairman Mark Fox said the Nation is grieving and thanked tribal, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for their response. Fox said public safety remains a priority as the investigation continues.
The shooting has also affected schools and higher education in the community.
New Town Public Schools announced that classes will be canceled Monday, September 28, to give students, staff and families time to process the events and support one another. Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College also announced it would close Monday, with counseling services available to students. Normal college operations are expected to resume Tuesday.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the shooting or the identities of those arrested.
Native News Online will update this story as additional information becomes available.
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