On August 4, 2017, a shooting at a residence in Lodge Grass on the Crow Indian Reservation left 27-year-old Leslie Frank Nomee Jr., his 25-year-old wife Denise Stewart Nomee, and 30-year-old Nehemiah Rocko Broken Rope dead of gunshot wounds. Investigators say Nomee Jr., his wife, and Broken Rope forcibly entered the home and at least one of them was armed; an occupant of the house was also armed and shots were exchanged. Nomee Jr. and Broken Rope were pronounced dead at the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Hospital and Denise Nomee died the following day at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. The house was later destroyed by fire and the tribe imposed a reservation-wide curfew while the FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs led the homicide inquiry.

A BOLO was issued for 32-year-old Roderick Plentyhawk, who was located and interviewed; authorities did not publicly say whether he was arrested. Ten months later the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced no federal charges would be filed, citing an inability to prove who fired the fatal shots and potential claims of self-defense or defense of another. Tribal prosecutors were left with the case. If anyone knew Leslie Nomee Jr., Denise Nomee, or Nehemiah Broken Rope or has information about that night, please come forward.