In the early morning hours of July 23, 2021, the community of Chadron, Nebraska, was disturbed by the sound of gunshots, leading to the discovery of a local resident's death. John David Martinez, a 72-year-old Caucasian male, was found deceased in his home. The Chadron Police Department was called to the residence at approximately 2 a.m. to investigate the shooting. At the time of his death, Martinez was largely confined to his bed as he was recovering from a recent surgery.
This violent act marked the first homicide in Chadron in over a decade.
The investigation quickly led authorities to identify a suspect, Ian "Sage" Little Moon, who was 20 years old at the time. Little Moon was the younger brother of Martinez's live-in significant other and was residing in the same home. Martinez was the father of two of Little Moon's sister's children. Following the incident, Little Moon fled Chadron in a stolen blue Ford Freestar minivan. He was later apprehended on the Pine Ridge Reservation by officers from the Oglala Sioux Department of Public Safety.
Ian Little Moon was charged with first-degree murder and the use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. His trial took place in October 2022. During the trial, prosecutors described the killing as "senseless." The defense argued that the shooting was a case of manslaughter, claiming that the rifle Little Moon was holding had accidentally discharged five times. Ultimately, the jury convicted Little Moon of second-degree murder and felony use of a deadly weapon. In February 2023, a district judge sentenced Little Moon to a total of 50 to 62 years in prison, consisting of 40 to 50 years for the murder and a consecutive sentence of 10 to 12 years for the weapons charge.
