Benson County (trfnews.i234.me): In a devastating incident that has left the community in shock, 27-year-old Johnnie Jay Gaking from St. Michael has been indicted by a grand jury on two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to commit murder. The charges stem from allegations that Gaking opened fire on four of his relatives, killing his adult sister and 3-year-old niece, and critically injuring his mother with a gunshot to the head. The tragic events unfolded on March 4 at a residence near Tokio, North Dakota, located within the Spirit Lake Reservation.
Following the shootings, Gaking reportedly fled to a nearby residence where he inflicted multiple stab wounds upon himself. Witnesses at this location described Gaking as having “crazy eyes” and quoted him saying, “They’re all dead, I didn’t do it.” He then departed the scene but was apprehended shortly thereafter. Upon his arrest, Gaking allegedly told law enforcement that men in ski masks had been stalking his family and compelled him to commit the murders. He also claimed that these masked individuals were responsible for his stab wounds, asserting he did not know their identities.
Court documents reveal that a surviving family member informed authorities that Gaking had been experiencing paranoia about masked men, had not been sleeping, and exhibited erratic behavior earlier that day. Gaking allegedly threatened to kill his family if they did not believe his claims about being targeted. The situation escalated when Gaking began waving a firearm, leading to the fatal shootings. The uninjured family member recounted hearing gunshots and Gaking’s threat, prompting him to flee for his life.
Initially charged on March 10 with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, the grand jury later added an additional charge for allegedly shooting at the fourth family member. If convicted, Gaking faces up to life imprisonment. He has waived his detention and preliminary hearings, agreeing to remain in custody until the case concludes. A date for his next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
This tragic event has deeply affected the Spirit Lake community, prompting local leaders to emphasize the importance of mental health resources and support services for those impacted by the incident.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did you know? The Spirit Lake Reservation, located in east-central North Dakota, is home to the Spirit Lake Tribe and encompasses approximately 405 square miles. The community has been proactive in addressing mental health challenges, particularly in the wake of traumatic events.