In the late hours of a Sunday night in Bismarck, North Dakota, the life of 22-year-old Croix José Clooten was tragically cut short. On July 27, 2026, police responded to a call of a shooting just after 11:10 p.m. in the area of North 35th Street and East Rosser Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered Croix inside a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders administered aid at the scene before he was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators quickly determined that the shooting was a targeted incident and assured the public that there was no ongoing threat.
The investigation into Croix's death progressed swiftly, leading to an arrest the following day. Loton Turner, a 20-year-old from the neighboring city of Mandan, was taken into custody on suspicion of murder. According to police reports, Croix was a passenger in a three-wheeled Slingshot vehicle with a friend when another vehicle approached and shots were fired. A witness, who had been sleeping in a nearby truck, was awakened by Croix's friend seeking help, stating that Croix had been shot in the head. Surveillance footage from the area reportedly corroborated the friend's account of the events.
Following his arrest, Loton Turner was charged with murder and illegal possession of a firearm. During questioning, Turner allegedly admitted to being in the other vehicle and firing what he claimed he believed to be a BB gun, stating he did not intend to hit Croix. A judge set his bond at $1 million. The case against Turner is currently moving through the court system, with his next court appearance scheduled for the month following the incident. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to conduct interviews and process evidence to build a comprehensive picture of the events that led to the untimely death of Croix Clooten. The community has been left to mourn the loss of a young man described by his family as having a kind heart and generous spirit, his life taken in an act of violence that has forever impacted those who knew and loved him.
