In the quiet community of Lodge Grass, Montana, on the Crow Indian Reservation, the summer of 2017 was shattered by a violent incident that claimed the life of 27-year-old Leslie Frank Nomee Jr., a male member of the Crow Tribe. On August 4th, Nomee Jr., alongside his 25-year-old wife, Denise Stewart Nomee, and 30-year-old Nehemiah "Rocko" Broken Rope, were fatally shot in what authorities would later describe as a chaotic and drug-related confrontation.
The tragic events unfolded at a residence in Lodge Grass. According to investigators, Leslie Nomee Jr., his wife, and Broken Rope forcibly entered the home. At least one of them was armed. An occupant of the house was also armed, and in the ensuing violence, shots were fired. Both Nomee Jr. and Broken Rope were pronounced dead at the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Hospital shortly after the shooting. Denise Nomee succumbed to her injuries the following day at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings.
The Big Horn County Coroner confirmed that all three individuals died from gunshot wounds. In the days following the incident, the house where the shootings occurred was destroyed by a fire, further complicating the investigation.
In the immediate aftermath, the Crow Tribe implemented a reservation-wide curfew as a precautionary measure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs took the lead in the homicide investigation. A "be on the lookout" alert was issued for Roderick Plentyhawk, 32, who was identified as a suspect. Plentyhawk was located and questioned by authorities, but it was not publicly disclosed whether he was taken into custody.
After a thorough ten-month investigation, the U.S. Attorney for Montana announced that no federal charges would be filed in connection with the deaths of Leslie Frank Nomee Jr., Denise Stewart Nomee, and Nehemiah Broken Rope. Prosecutors determined that it was impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt who shot whom during the confrontation. Furthermore, they concluded that they would be unable to overcome potential claims of self-defense or defense of another by the occupants of the home. The investigation revealed that the incident was linked to methamphetamine, according to the Crow Tribal Chairman. The case was left open for tribal prosecutors to potentially pursue charges, but no further announcements were made.
