A Belcourt man was fatally shot by a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) police officer during a traffic stop early Sunday morning, Dec. 29.
According to Alysia LaCounte, tribal counsel for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, the deceased has been identified as Jordan Parisien.
The incident took place on Highway 5 (or Highway 281), directly in front of Sky Dancer Casino in Belcourt. Authorities confirmed that three BIA officers were at the scene at the time of the shooting, though only one officer discharged their firearm.
Initial reports suggested that there had been an exchange of gunfire between Parisien and law enforcement, but LaCounte later clarified that Parisien did not fire a weapon. The circumstances that led the officer to shoot remain unclear.
Parisien had been reported to police as an armed and suicidal individual, prompting officers to locate his vehicle. When they observed him driving erratically, they initiated a traffic stop and ordered him to exit his vehicle. Moments later, he was shot multiple times, though the exact number of gunshot wounds has not yet been determined. Authorities have not disclosed what actions, if any, Parisien took before the officer opened fire.
Following the shooting, an internal review was launched by the BIA Office of Justice Services. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is leading the primary investigation into the incident. Details about the officer who fired the fatal shots have not been released.
This incident has raised questions within the community, particularly regarding the use of force and the response to individuals in crisis. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians has not yet issued an official statement regarding the shooting, and it remains unclear whether additional measures will be taken in response to the event.