Three Killed In Poplar Weekend Shootings

On Sunday, Sept. 14, at approximately 4 a.m., the Fort Peck Tribal police officers received information from the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office that a male had confessed to shooting and killing his wife, his stepson and the stepson’s girlfriend at a residence in Poplar. The male said that all three victims were still inside the house. The male was identified as 73-year-old Michael Littlebull, an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Tribes.

Fort Peck Tribal police officers responded to a residence in Poplar to investigate the information. After receiving no response at the residence, tribal police officers received and executed a search warrant to enter the residence. Once inside the residence, tribal police officers located 65-year-old Earlene Jones, 41-year-old Matthew Black Thunder and 35-year-old Winona Longee deceased inside the residence. All three victims appeared to have been shot at least one time at close range with a small caliber bullet. All three victims will undergo an autopsy.

Littlebull remains in custody.

The case is still under investigation by the Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. No further information can be released at this time.