Man from Crow Tribe cites self-defense in fatal casino shooting

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

The Emerald Queen Casino & Hotel in Fife, Washington. Photo from Expedia

A member of the Crow Tribe of Montana is accused of fatally shooting a man outside of the casino owned by the Puyallup Tribe of Washington.

The new detail regarding the tribal affiliation of Jeremy Schlenker, 27, emerged in a murder complaint filed in federal court. The document also said Schlenker is claiming self-defense in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Brandon Williams in the parking lot of the Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel on late Friday night.

Casino staff were watching Schlenker closely because they were alerted to his presence by local authorities. About an hour before the shooting, his girlfriend had called 911 and said she was being assaulted by Schlenker.

A photo of Jeremy Schlenker posted on Facebook

A casino security guard witnessed Schlenker confronting his girlfriend, according to the complaint. The fatal shooting of Williams was captured on surveillance footage.

The casino provided authorities with Schlenker's license plate and he was apprehended in Oregon on Saturday afternoon. A gun found in his vehicle matched the caliber as the one used in the shooting, the complaint stated

Since Schlenker is considered an Indian under federal law, he is being charged with murder in Indian Country. His grandmother told FBI agents he is enrolled with the Crow Tribe and Schlenker confirmed it after he was apprehended.

Get the Story:
FBI: Wash. man admits casino shooting, claims self-defense (AP 3/25)
Man claims shooting outside Tacoma casino was self-defense (The Tacoma News-Tribune 3/25) Related Stories:
Puyallup Tribe helps track man accused of murder in casino lot (3/23)