Jordan Parisien Death – A fatal officer-involved shooting occurred on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in Belcourt, North Dakota, resulting in the death of Jordan Parisien.
The incident, which took place on Highway 5 west of Belcourt, has sparked an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to Alysia LaCounte, general counsel for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Parisien had been driving erratically, performing repeated U-turns on Highway 5, apparently attempting to provoke a pursuit by law enforcement.
Three officers responded to the scene, and one officer drew their weapon, instructing Parisien to exit his vehicle. However, it remains unclear what prompted the officer to discharge their weapon or how many shots were fired.
Initial reports suggested that Parisien was armed and had exchanged gunfire with law enforcement. However, LaCounte’s investigation revealed that all gunfire originated from law enforcement, and Parisien did not fire any shots. This clarification has raised questions about the use of lethal force in this situation.
The incident began when officers responded to a report of a suicidal man armed with a firearm at a residence on the reservation. Parisien was fatally wounded during the incident, which occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Tribal Chairman Jamie Azure emphasized that this was an isolated incident and assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to safety.
The scene was immediately secured, and the investigation was turned over to the BIA and FBI. Tribal authorities are committed to transparency as the investigation unfolds, and additional information is expected to be released in the coming days. Tribal officials and law enforcement agencies are urging the public to remain patient as investigators review all evidence, including video footage, to determine the facts of the case.