In the winter of 2025, the life of Lenart Randall Brown Eyes, a 68-year-old Native American man, was tragically cut short in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was born on June 3, 1956, in Pine Ridge and his journey through life would take him to various places for his education, including California, Kansas, New Mexico, and eventually to the University of Minnesota, where he earned a master's degree in electrical engineering.
A man of many talents, he was known as a "powwow man" who sang with
the Lone Eagle Singers and was also a fancy dancer. His skills in electrical engineering were applied to various jobs throughout his life. He was a father to several children, a brother, and a grandfather, leaving behind a large family to mourn his passing.
On the night of Sunday, February 23, 2025, Lenart was shot and killed in Rapid City. Another man was also shot during the incident and was left critically injured. Following the shooting, law enforcement began an investigation which led to the arrest of a suspect.
A 28-year-old woman named Pam White Butterfly was taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting. She was subsequently charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree attempted murder for her alleged role in the incident that resulted in Lenart's death and the critical injury of the other man. White Butterfly is being held on a two-million-dollar bond and, if convicted of the murder charge, could face either the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
