SANTAN, Ariz. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating a mass shooting in the Gila River Indian Community that killed two people and injured four others on Saturday.
Typically, charges associated with the killing of someone goes through the County Attorney's Office, but in this case, any possible charges will be federal.
Bernard Zapor, a retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Special Agent In Charge, explains the reasoning is based on the location. Federal investigators with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI have jurisdiction on Tribal lands when major crimes are committed.
“It’s unusual in the fact that the FBI is now investigating a homicide, right. So, they have to go to specific resources and go through pathology and all of things it takes to prove another human being took life of a human being," Zapor said.
Once the FBI's investigation is complete, they'll hand the case over to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona which will decide whether or not to press charges.
“That’s unique just because that’s not a common thing, just because there’s not that volume of crime, and then having a federally recognized Native American Nation for that process to take place, but it happens," Zapor said.
Zapor said if charges are filed in connection to the shooting, federal consequences can be more serious.
“Looking at murder federally could be pretty ominous," Zapor said. "It does not allow for early release or probation, parole and there’s actually a federal death sentence, as well."
The Department of Justice does not allow for updates in federal investigations. If and when charges are filed, details will become available to the public.
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