Tribal officials say two people were fatally shot Thursday night in a double homicide that has left the tight-knit tribal community grieving.
In a news release issued on Friday, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation confirmed the victims were Laura Dick, a clerk for the Colville Tribal Court, and her son. No additional details about their identities or the circumstances of the shooting were immediately released Friday.
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Jarred-Michael Erickson, chairman of the Colville Business Council, described the killings as a “senseless act of violence” and said the loss has deeply affected residents. Erickson said he had known Dick since childhood.
“Our community is grieving deeply today after the loss of two of our own,” Erickson said. “Laura was someone I had known since we were young — we went to school together — and her passing feels especially close to home.”
Officials said the Colville Tribal Court will operate on a limited basis next week as staff mourn a colleague and friend.
Law enforcement has not publicly identified any suspects nor released details on an arrest. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not issued a motive.
No official statement regarding charges or arrests has been issued by tribal police, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office or the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington as of Friday evening.
The Colville Indian Reservation, which covers roughly 2,200 square miles, is located in the northeastern part of the state of Washington. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation reports it has close to 10,000 tribal citizens.