Browning man admits shooting, wounding man on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS — A Browning man accused of shooting and wounding a man at a residence on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to an assault crime today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

Lane Dale Spotted Eagle, 27, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Spotted Eagle faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Nov. 30. Spotted Eagle was ordered to inpatient treatment pending sentencing.

The government alleged in court documents that in the afternoon of July 12, 2022, Spotted Eagle, armed with a 9mm pistol, entered a bedroom in a Browning house and shot the victim, identified as John Doe. Spotted Eagle is a schizophrenic and was experiencing paranoia at the time of the assault. Law enforcement detained Spotted Eagle shortly after the assault in a vehicle in the driveway. Spotted Eagle was covered in blood and armed with an AR-15 rifle.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah A. Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI and Blackfeet Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

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