In the quiet town of Poplar, Montana, nestled within the Fort Peck Reservation, the life of 41-year-old Native American male, Matthew "Matt-E" Black Thunder, was brought to a tragic and violent end. On September 15, 2025, he was found deceased in a local residence, the victim of a gunshot wound. Alongside him were two other victims, Earlene Jones, 65, and Winona Longee, 35, who had also been fatally shot at close range with a small-caliber firearm. The grim discovery was made by tribal police after a report was made to law enforcement on September 14, though authorities believe the killings took place on September 11.
Matthew, born on July 2, 1984, in Sidney, Montana, was a beloved son, brother, and uncle. He was remembered by his family and friends for his love of cruising, listening to music, and playing in pool leagues. He had attended Poplar Schools and was working in the garden at Fort Peck Community College at the time of his death, a job he reportedly loved.
His obituary paints a picture of a man deeply connected to his family and community.
The investigation into the triple homicide quickly led to a single suspect, 73-year-old Michael J. Ackerman, also known as Michael J. Littlebull. Ackerman was taken into custody shortly after the victims were found and later appeared in U.S. District Court in Great Falls, where he was charged with three counts of second-degree murder. According to a federal complaint, Ackerman confessed to law enforcement that he had been using methamphetamine with the victims on September 11. He stated that he believed they were "setting him up" and consequently shot them with a 9mm pistol in his Poplar residence.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice, and the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office are jointly handling the ongoing investigation. Ackerman was detained pending further court proceedings. The violent loss of three lives in a single act sent ripples of grief and shock through the close-knit community of Poplar.
