In the small community of Onigum, Minnesota, a quiet spring evening in 2015 was shattered by a violent tragedy that claimed the life of 57-year-old Leo "Bart" Daniel Jordan Jr. On May 12th, authorities were called to a residence on Midway Drive NW, where they discovered two men with gunshot wounds. The ensuing investigation would reveal a grim and heartbreaking scenario.
Leo Jordan, a lifelong resident of the Onigum area, was found critically injured and was quickly airlifted to Essentia
Health in Fargo, North Dakota, for medical attention. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away. The other man, identified as 60-year-old David Smith, was pronounced dead at the scene from what was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The two men were identified by the Cass County Sheriff's Office as half-brothers.
The investigation into the deaths of Jordan and Smith concluded that the incident was a murder-suicide. Authorities determined that Smith had fatally shot his half-brother, Leo Jordan, before turning the gun on himself. The motive behind this tragic act was not publicly disclosed, but investigators assured the community that it was an isolated incident and that there was no further danger to the public. As a result, no arrests were made, and there were no other suspects in the case.
Known to his friends and family as Bart, Leo Jordan was remembered as a happy and caring man who had a deep love for the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and was known for his skills in cooking wild game. His obituary described him as someone who would do anything for anybody and who cherished the time he spent with his extensive family and many friends. The community mourned the loss of a man who was deeply connected to his roots and the natural world around him.
