Sentencing For Murphy Scheduled For June 11

The sentencing hearing for Ethan Louis Murphy is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, in federal court in Great Falls. Murphy made guilty pleas on Feb. 11 to second degree murder and possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, by pleading guilty the defendant acknowledges that he unlawfully killed John Doe; he killed John Doe with malice aforethought; the defendant is an Indian person; and the killing occurred within the exterior boundaries of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. As part of the agreement, Murphy agreed that he will be detained pending sentencing and will not request a detention hearing.

He agrees to pay restitution to the family of John Doe and John Doe 2 if any is requested. The defendant reserves the right to challenge the restitution amounts. The amount of restitution will be determined prior to or at the sentencing hearing.

The maximum penalty for second degree murder is life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. According to the Wolf Point Police Department, an officer responded to a reported shooting at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28. The shooting took place on Blaine Street at the Albertsons store’s parking lot.

Upon arrival, the police officer found one deceased individual and another person with a gunshot wound. The police officer provided immediate medical assistance to the injured person until emergency medical assistance arrived.

Surveillance from Albertsons shows Murphy walking up to John Doe with his gun in hand and that John Doe took out a black machete. Murphy then shot John Doe a single time in the head and shot John Doe 2.

On Sept. 30, 2025, Murphy agreed to turn himself in to law enforcement in Wolf Point. Law enforcement encountered Murphy in the passenger seat of a car.