GRAND FORKS, N.D. – A man has been charged with the murder of his sister and three-year-old niece in their shooting deaths on the Spirit Lake Reservation March 4.
Twenty-seven-year-old Johnnie Gaking faces two federal counts of second degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Court documents say Gaking shot his sister, her child and his mother in the head at a home near Tokio, North Dakota. His sister and niece died at the scene. His mother was taken to the hospital.
Authorities say Gaking went to another home in the Tokio area and stabbed himself and fled in a vehicle. People at the second home said Gaking had “crazy eyes” and told them “They’re dead. They’re all dead. I didn’t do it.” Gaking then got into a vehicle and drove away. He was apprehended a short time later and taken to the hospital.
Court records say after being read his Miranda rights, Gaking said men in ski masks were stalking him and they made him kill his family and he admitted to shooting them. Gaking told police he didn’t stab himself and didn’t know who did since they were wearing ski masks. Later on in the ambulance, officers said he admitted to trying to kill himself.
Gaking’s uncle told police he saw his nephew shoot his three family members. The uncle said Gaking was talking about men in ski masks chasing him. He added Gaking hadn’t been sleeping, “was tripping”, throwing things around the home and crying. Gaking was thrown out of the home because his family didn’t believe him. The uncle said Gaking told them “If you (expletives) don’t believe me, I’ll kill you (expletives) then,” and heard gunshots. The uncle believed Gaking was reloading and heard him say “You’re next, uncle,” and ran for his life.
A paramedic told investigators the mother told them her son shot her.
The Spirit Lake tribe, law enforcement and prosecutors have not identified the woman and child who died and the woman who was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition. However, Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake says a funeral mass for Tiana Sharel Walking Eagle and her daughter, Lokia Jay Lee Walking Eagle, will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m.
A hearing in the case in federal court in Grand Forks has been set for 1:30 PM Monday.
