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FBI launches preliminary probe into shootings of Indian men

Friday, August 7, 2015

James "Sonny" Goggles, a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, remains in serious condition after being shot in the head in Riverton, Wyoming, on July 18, 2015. His family is raising funds to aid his recovery. Photo from Give Forward
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a preliminary probe in the shootings of two members of the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming, according to news reports.

Tribal leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to meet with Department of Justice officials. They believe Stallone Trosper, 29, who was murdered and James “Sonny” Goggles, Jr., 50, who was critically injured after both were shot in the head, were victimized because of their race.

"We explained to DOJ the importance of Sonny and Stallone to their families and to our tribe," Chairman Dean Goggles, who is one of Sonny's cousins, said in a press release. "This act of violence is the latest in a history of racism toward Native Americans in the town of Riverton, which sits in the middle of the reservation."

Roy Clyde, 32, a non-Indian man, has been charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the brutal shooting. Although he reportedly admitted that he intentionally targeted people whom he believed to be homeless, he is not facing hate crimes charges under state law.

The FBI's preliminary probe could lead to additional charges under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a federal hate crimes statute, or other laws.

Stallone Winter Eagle Trosper, 1986-2015. Photo from family obituary / County 10

Trosper and Goggles were were shot in the head as they slept in the Center of Hope, a detoxification center on West Adams Avenue in Riverton. About 85 percent of the clients there are Native Americans, The New York Times reported.

About 11,000 people live in Riverton, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of those, about 10.4 percent are American Indian or Alaska Native.

Many are members of the Northern Arapaho Tribe or the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. The two tribes are based on the Wind River Reservation and both contend Riverton remains a part of their land base but local and state officials are suing in federal court in order to declare that the city is no longer Indian Country.

Get the Story:
Tribal officials gratified FBI monitoring shooting case (AP 8/6)
No. Arapaho Tribe expressed gratitude of preliminary hate crimes investigation (County 10 8/6)
FBI has begun preliminary investigation into Riverton shootings for Civil Rights Division (County 10 8/4)
Riverton To Host Peace March In Wake Of Shooting (Wyoming Public Radio 8/4)
Riverton Police Department To Hire Staff Member To Investigate Racial Discrimination (Wyoming Public Radio 8/3)