Topline: The man’s mother was also shot in the head, but she survived and told paramedics who shot her.
Published: March 12, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Johnnie Jay Gaking (via Ward County Jail)
SPIRIT LAKE, ND — Shocking details have been released regarding a man accused of killing his sister and her 3-year-old child, as well as his own mother, on a reservation in North Dakota.
Court documents show 27-year-old Johnnie Jay Gaking was charged with murder with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder for an incident that happened on March 4.
Authorities were alerted to a shooting on Spirit Lake Reservation, near Tokio, North Dakota. It was reported that Gaking had allegedly shot two people and fled from a residence. Later reports indicated three people had been shot.
Responding officers found a three-year-old child and an adult female, both killed by a gunshot to the head. Another adult victim, who had also been shot in the head, was still alive and taken to a nearby hospital, the complaint says.
The deceased victims were identified as Gaking’s sister, 31-year-old Tiana Sharel Walking Eagle, and her 3-year-old Lokia Jay Lee Walking Eagle, according to NBC affiliate KVLY. The surviving victim was believed to be Gaking’s mother.
Investigators were then informed of a report that Gaking stopped at another house near Tokio and stabbed himself with a knife multiple times before fleeing in a blue Ford Focus, according to the complaint.
Authorities arrived at the scene and learned Gaking arrived at the house with “crazy eyes” and told the homeowner, “[Adult Victim 2’s] dead, they’re all dead, I didn’t do it.”
Gaking had fresh blood on his chest and abdomen and the homeowner told police Gaking stabbed himself in the home before driving away.
Gaking was apprehended shortly thereafter when he apparently wrecked the blue Ford Focus, leading to him being loaded into an ambulance via stretcher.
Investigators interviewed Gaking in the ambulance, and he claimed “men in ski masks” had been stalking him and that “they” made him kill the victims.
Gaking then admitted that he did not stab himself and he did not know who stabbed him because “they” were wearing ski masks. Later during the transport, Gaking said he tried to kill himself, the complaint notes.
Authorities interviewed a family member who lived with the victims and Gaking. The family member said “he shot everybody” and that Gaking shot at him as well.
According to this family member, Gaking was talking earlier in the morning about men in ski masks chasing him, and that he had not been sleeping. He said Gaking was “tripping” that morning, throwing things around, and started crying. Gaking then threatened to kick the family member and his sister out of the house because they did not believe people were trying to kill him. Gaking proceeded to allegedly say, “if you f***ers don’t wanna believe me, I’m gonna kill all you f***ers then,” the complaint states.
The family member further described that Gaking was waving a gun around and he saw Gaking enter a room, followed by the sound of gunshots. Nobody came out of the room and the family member believed Gaking went to reload. He then heard Gaking say, “you’re next.” The family member “ran for his life” before hearing three more shots, the complaint says.
Gaking’s mother, fighting for her life in an ambulance, told a paramedic that Gaking was the one who shot her. Another paramedic in the ambulance corroborated the story, the complaint alleges.
Gaking is lodged at the Sequatchie County Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Court Docs: Man Slaughtered Sister & 3-Year-Old Child on North Dakota Reservation
The man’s mother was also shot in the head, but she survived and told paramedics who shot her.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 12, 2025 7:00 am ET
Johnnie Jay Gaking (via Ward County Jail)
SPIRIT LAKE, ND — Shocking details have been released regarding a man accused of killing his sister and her 3-year-old child, as well as his own mother, on a reservation in North Dakota.
Court documents show 27-year-old Johnnie Jay Gaking was charged with murder with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder for an incident that happened on March 4.
Authorities were alerted to a shooting on Spirit Lake Reservation, near Tokio, North Dakota. It was reported that Gaking had allegedly shot two people and fled from a residence. Later reports indicated three people had been shot.
Responding officers found a three-year-old child and an adult female, both killed by a gunshot to the head. Another adult victim, who had also been shot in the head, was still alive and taken to a nearby hospital, the complaint says.
The deceased victims were identified as Gaking’s sister, 31-year-old Tiana Sharel Walking Eagle, and her 3-year-old Lokia Jay Lee Walking Eagle, according to NBC affiliate KVLY. The surviving victim was believed to be Gaking’s mother.
Investigators were then informed of a report that Gaking stopped at another house near Tokio and stabbed himself with a knife multiple times before fleeing in a blue Ford Focus, according to the complaint.
Authorities arrived at the scene and learned Gaking arrived at the house with “crazy eyes” and told the homeowner, “[Adult Victim 2’s] dead, they’re all dead, I didn’t do it.”
Gaking had fresh blood on his chest and abdomen and the homeowner told police Gaking stabbed himself in the home before driving away.
Gaking was apprehended shortly thereafter when he apparently wrecked the blue Ford Focus, leading to him being loaded into an ambulance via stretcher.
Investigators interviewed Gaking in the ambulance, and he claimed “men in ski masks” had been stalking him and that “they” made him kill the victims.
Gaking then admitted that he did not stab himself and he did not know who stabbed him because “they” were wearing ski masks. Later during the transport, Gaking said he tried to kill himself, the complaint notes.
Authorities interviewed a family member who lived with the victims and Gaking. The family member said “he shot everybody” and that Gaking shot at him as well.
According to this family member, Gaking was talking earlier in the morning about men in ski masks chasing him, and that he had not been sleeping. He said Gaking was “tripping” that morning, throwing things around, and started crying. Gaking then threatened to kick the family member and his sister out of the house because they did not believe people were trying to kill him. Gaking proceeded to allegedly say, “if you f***ers don’t wanna believe me, I’m gonna kill all you f***ers then,” the complaint states.
The family member further described that Gaking was waving a gun around and he saw Gaking enter a room, followed by the sound of gunshots. Nobody came out of the room and the family member believed Gaking went to reload. He then heard Gaking say, “you’re next.” The family member “ran for his life” before hearing three more shots, the complaint says.
Gaking’s mother, fighting for her life in an ambulance, told a paramedic that Gaking was the one who shot her. Another paramedic in the ambulance corroborated the story, the complaint alleges.
Gaking is lodged at the Sequatchie County Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Court Docs: Man Slaughtered Sister & 3-Year-Old Child on North Dakota Reservation
The man’s mother was also shot in the head, but she survived and told paramedics who shot her.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 12, 2025 7:00 am ET
Johnnie Jay Gaking (via Ward County Jail)
SPIRIT LAKE, ND — Shocking details have been released regarding a man accused of killing his sister and her 3-year-old child, as well as his own mother, on a reservation in North Dakota.
Court documents show 27-year-old Johnnie Jay Gaking was charged with murder with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder for an incident that happened on March 4.
Authorities were alerted to a shooting on Spirit Lake Reservation, near Tokio, North Dakota. It was reported that Gaking had allegedly shot two people and fled from a residence. Later reports indicated three people had been shot.
Responding officers found a three-year-old child and an adult female, both killed by a gunshot to the head. Another adult victim, who had also been shot in the head, was still alive and taken to a nearby hospital, the complaint says.
The deceased victims were identified as Gaking’s sister, 31-year-old Tiana Sharel Walking Eagle, and her 3-year-old Lokia Jay Lee Walking Eagle, according to NBC affiliate KVLY. The surviving victim was believed to be Gaking’s mother.
Investigators were then informed of a report that Gaking stopped at another house near Tokio and stabbed himself with a knife multiple times before fleeing in a blue Ford Focus, according to the complaint.
Authorities arrived at the scene and learned Gaking arrived at the house with “crazy eyes” and told the homeowner, “[Adult Victim 2’s] dead, they’re all dead, I didn’t do it.”
Gaking had fresh blood on his chest and abdomen and the homeowner told police Gaking stabbed himself in the home before driving away.
Gaking was apprehended shortly thereafter when he apparently wrecked the blue Ford Focus, leading to him being loaded into an ambulance via stretcher.
Investigators interviewed Gaking in the ambulance, and he claimed “men in ski masks” had been stalking him and that “they” made him kill the victims.
Gaking then admitted that he did not stab himself and he did not know who stabbed him because “they” were wearing ski masks. Later during the transport, Gaking said he tried to kill himself, the complaint notes.
Authorities interviewed a family member who lived with the victims and Gaking. The family member said “he shot everybody” and that Gaking shot at him as well.
According to this family member, Gaking was talking earlier in the morning about men in ski masks chasing him, and that he had not been sleeping. He said Gaking was “tripping” that morning, throwing things around, and started crying. Gaking then threatened to kick the family member and his sister out of the house because they did not believe people were trying to kill him. Gaking proceeded to allegedly say, “if you f***ers don’t wanna believe me, I’m gonna kill all you f***ers then,” the complaint states.
The family member further described that Gaking was waving a gun around and he saw Gaking enter a room, followed by the sound of gunshots. Nobody came out of the room and the family member believed Gaking went to reload. He then heard Gaking say, “you’re next.” The family member “ran for his life” before hearing three more shots, the complaint says.
Gaking’s mother, fighting for her life in an ambulance, told a paramedic that Gaking was the one who shot her. Another paramedic in the ambulance corroborated the story, the complaint alleges.
Gaking is lodged at the Sequatchie County Jail.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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