A 3-year-old Native American girl, Lokia Jay Lee Walking Eagle, and her 31-year-old mother, Tiana Sharel Walking Eagle, were shot to death on March 4, 2025, at their home in St. Michael, North Dakota, on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Both were found with gunshot wounds to the head. A grandmother in the house was also shot in the head but survived and was taken to hospital in critical condition; a fourth person escaped unharmed while the shooter paused to reload.

Authorities identified the suspect as 27-year-old Johnnie Jay Gaking, described as the victim’s uncle and Tiana’s brother, who had been living in the same home. Neighbors and family reported Gaking had been acting erratically beforehand, saying men in ski masks were chasing him and threatening family members. After the shooting he drove to a cousin’s house, reportedly stabbed himself multiple times, crashed into a ditch and was taken into custody. He initially told officers men in ski masks had forced him to kill his family, then later admitted to the shootings and attempting to take his own life. Gaking has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

Did anyone in or near St. Michael hear or see anything that night that could help explain what happened?