Pine Ridge Reservation mourns after explosion leads to deaths

Monday, October 10, 2016  

A sign on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Photo by Jimmy Emerson

Four people were killed and five others were injured in an explosion on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota on Thursday.

The explosion occurred at a duplex in the community of Pine Ridge. According to news reports, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has deemed the incident an accident, most likely caused by a leaking propane line.

Raymond Owen Eagle Elk, 78, and Oletha Mousseaux, 74, were killed in the explosion. They were in one of the duplex units, according to news reports.

Elfreda Ann Takes War Bonnett, 19, was killed in the other unit. A fourth person, believed to be a 23-year-old woman, also died.

Of the five people who were injured, one was a young girl, KEVN reported.

Read More on the Story:
Pine Ridge mourns following deadly explosion (KEVN 10/7)
Fatal Explosion Thurs In Pine Ridge Ruled Accidental (AP 10/8)
Pine Ridge duplex explosion deemed accidental (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 10/8)

Deaths reported after explosion at Pine Ridge Reservation home (10/7)