On a tragic evening in April 2018, Andrew Gokee, a 57-year-old Native American man, lost his life in a sudden act of violence. The incident unfolded in Progress Township, a quiet area within Carlton County, Minnesota. Gokee, a respected former director of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Native American Center, was visiting his brother's home when the fatal encounter occurred. The circumstances of his death would later reveal a deeply troubled family dynamic that culminated in bloodshed.
The man responsible for Andrew Gokee's death was his own nephew, James Francis Montano, who was 34 years old at the time. On the night of April 20, 2018, as Andrew Gokee and his son, Hudson Gauthier, were preparing to leave the residence, Montano confronted them armed with a rifle. In an unexpected and shocking turn of events, Montano opened fire, fatally wounding his uncle and injuring his cousin, Gauthier. After the shooting, Montano fled into the nearby woods, sparking a manhunt that lasted for several hours. Law enforcement eventually located him and took him into custody. It was discovered that Montano had also sustained a gunshot wound, which was believed to be self-inflicted.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the legal process began to bring justice for Andrew Gokee. James Montano was charged with second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and second-degree assault. Following a trial that delved into the disturbing details of that spring evening, a Carlton County jury found Montano guilty of the more severe charges of first-degree premeditated murder and attempted first-degree premeditated murder. The conviction brought a measure of closure to a grieving family and community.
For the murder of his uncle, James Francis Montano received a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was also sentenced to an additional 15 years for the attempted murder of his cousin. An appeal was later filed in his case, but it was ultimately denied, solidifying the lifelong consequences of his actions on that fateful night.
