Tiana Sharel Walking Eagle, 31, was shot dead at her home on the Spirit Lake Reservation near Tokio, North Dakota on March 4, 2025. Her 3-year-old daughter, Lokia Jay Lee Walking Eagle, was also killed in the same incident. Their mother was critically injured but survived the initial attack.

Authorities allege the shooter was Tiana’s brother, 27-year-old Johnnie Jay Gaking. Court documents say Gaking shot Tiana, Lokia and their mother in the head. Witnesses reported Gaking had been acting erratically beforehand, claiming men in ski masks were chasing him; an uncle said Gaking had not been sleeping and was tripping. After the shootings Gaking fled to another nearby home, told residents they were dead and at one point blamed men in ski masks, then later admitted to the shootings and acknowledged his stab wounds were a suicide attempt. He was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

Tiana had spent most of her life on the Spirit Lake Nation, worked at the local Walmart and was remembered for loving music and time with family and friends. If anyone knew Tiana, Lokia or has information about the events that day, please share what you know.