NEW TOWN, NORTH DAKOTA — Two people are dead following a Friday night shooting in the New Town area, an incident that triggered an emergency shelter-in-place order for residents in New Town and Four Bears.
The FBI confirmed Saturday, September 26, 2026, that two people died as a result of the shooting. Federal investigators are working alongside the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department as authorities determine what happened and who was responsible.
The identities of the people who died have not yet been publicly released.
Authorities said the names will be made public after relatives have been notified.
What Happened in New Town, North Dakota?
Law enforcement issued an active-threat warning late Friday night after a shooting was reported in the New Town area.
According to an emergency notice from MHA Emergency Operations, authorities were searching for two armed males dressed in black who were reportedly on foot in New Town.
Residents in both New Town and Four Bears were ordered to shelter in place while officers responded.
People were instructed to:
- Remain inside
- Lock their doors
- Stay away from windows
- Avoid leaving their homes
- Stay clear of the affected area
- Call 911 if they saw the reported armed individuals
Authorities specifically warned residents not to approach anyone matching the description.
Shelter-in-Place Issued for New Town and Four Bears
The emergency shelter-in-place order was issued Friday night as law enforcement treated the situation as an active threat.
The alert attributed the order to the Three Affiliated Tribes law enforcement leadership and advised people throughout the New Town and Four Bears areas to remain indoors.
A wireless emergency alert was also distributed to people in the affected area.
The warning described the threat as two armed men wearing black clothing and travelling on foot.
Anyone outside the immediate area was asked to avoid New Town and follow instructions from law enforcement.
FBI Confirms Two People Dead
On Saturday afternoon, an FBI spokesperson confirmed that two people had died in connection with the shooting.
Officials have not publicly released the names of either victim.
According to the FBI update, authorities were waiting until next of kin had been notified before releasing identifying information.
No additional verified information about the victims’ ages, backgrounds or circumstances of death was available at the time of this update.
FBI and Tribal Police Investigating
The FBI is working with the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department on the investigation.
According to the FBI information reported by KFYR, the case falls under federal jurisdiction and is being investigated under the Major Crimes Act.
The law provides federal jurisdiction over certain serious crimes occurring in Indian Country.
Investigators are now working to determine the complete circumstances surrounding the shooting, including what led to the violence and whether additional people were involved.
Have Any Suspects Been Arrested?
No verified public information reviewed for this update confirms that four suspects were arrested.
Authorities have also not publicly released the identities of any suspects in connection with the shooting.
The emergency alert initially referred to two armed males dressed in black who were reportedly on foot, but that initial description does not establish whether those individuals were later detained or identified.
Until police or the FBI provide additional information, claims about arrests should be treated as unconfirmed.
Were Three People Shot?
Current verified reporting confirms two deaths, but it does not establish that three people were shot.
No reliable information reviewed for this article confirms an additional wounded victim.
For that reason, claims regarding a third shooting victim should remain unverified unless authorities release further information.
What Was the Motive?
Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive.
It remains unclear whether the shooting arose from a dispute, targeted attack or another set of circumstances.
Investigators have also not announced whether the victims and suspected shooters knew one another.
Any claims about motive would therefore be speculative until investigators release additional findings.
New Town Shooting: Key Details
| Detail | Confirmed Information |
|---|---|
| Location | New Town area, North Dakota |
| Date | September 25, 2026 |
| Incident | Friday night shooting |
| Confirmed deaths | Two |
| Shelter-in-place | Issued for New Town and Four Bears |
| Initial threat description | Two armed males dressed in black, reportedly on foot |
| FBI involvement | Confirmed |
| Tribal police involvement | Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department |
| Victim identities | Not yet released |
| Suspect identities | Not released |
| Four arrests | Not independently confirmed |
| Three people shot | Not independently confirmed |
| Motive | Not disclosed |
| Investigation | Ongoing |
Why the FBI Is Involved
The shooting occurred in an area connected to the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, home of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes.
The FBI said it is investigating alongside tribal law enforcement because the case falls within federal jurisdiction under the Major Crimes Act.
Serious crimes in Indian Country can involve federal, tribal and sometimes state authorities depending on the location, alleged offense and status of the people involved.
Residents Told to Report Suspicious Activity
During the initial emergency response, authorities urged residents who encountered the reported armed individuals or noticed suspicious activity to avoid direct contact.
The emergency alert instructed residents to call 911 or the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department rather than approaching anyone considered potentially dangerous.
Residents were also asked to obey road restrictions and other directions from law enforcement.
What Happens During an Active-Threat Response?
When authorities believe armed individuals may still be at large, officers may establish a shelter-in-place order to limit civilian movement and reduce the possibility of further harm.
Law enforcement may:
- Establish a perimeter
- Search buildings and outdoor areas
- Restrict road access
- Interview witnesses
- Review surveillance footage
- Locate potential suspects
- Preserve evidence from the shooting scene
Public information can remain limited during the early stages because releasing certain details could interfere with the investigation or search for suspects.
Victim Identities Have Not Been Released
The names of the two people who died remain undisclosed.
The FBI indicated that identification information would be released after notification of next of kin.
Until then, social media claims identifying victims should not be treated as confirmed unless they come from relatives or authorities.
Community Awaits Additional Information
The fatal shooting has drawn concern throughout New Town and surrounding communities.
Residents were placed under significant restrictions during the initial response, with people advised to stay inside their homes while armed individuals were reportedly being sought.
Authorities have not yet released a detailed timeline explaining where the shooting occurred, what led to the incident or whether the immediate threat has been fully resolved.
Further information may emerge as the FBI and tribal police continue their investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there a shooting in New Town, North Dakota?
Yes. The FBI has confirmed that two people died following a Friday night shooting in the New Town area.
How many people died?
Two people were confirmed dead.
Who were the victims?
Authorities have not yet publicly released their identities. The FBI said names will be released after relatives have been notified.
Was a shelter-in-place order issued?
Yes. An active-threat shelter-in-place order was issued for New Town and Four Bears on Friday night.
What description did police give of the suspects?
The initial emergency alert referred to two armed males dressed in black who were reportedly on foot in the New Town area.
Were four people arrested?
No verified information reviewed for this article confirms four arrests.
Were three people shot?
Verified reporting confirms two deaths but does not independently confirm that three people were shot.
Who is investigating the New Town shooting?
The FBI and Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department are investigating the incident.
Why is the FBI involved?
The FBI said the incident falls under federal jurisdiction and is being investigated under the Major Crimes Act.
Has a motive been released?
No. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive.
Final New Town Shooting Update
Two people have been confirmed dead following a Friday night shooting in the New Town area of North Dakota.
The incident prompted authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for New Town and Four Bears while officers searched for two armed males reportedly dressed in black and travelling on foot.
The FBI later confirmed the two fatalities and said it is working with the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department under federal jurisdiction.
Victim identities, suspect identities and a possible motive remain undisclosed.
Claims that three people were shot or that four suspects were arrested have not been substantiated by the verified information reviewed for this article.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as authorities notify families and release further information.
Accuracy Note
This article is based on current reporting citing the FBI and an emergency alert issued by MHA Emergency Operations.
Confirmed information includes two deaths, the Friday night shooting, the shelter-in-place order for New Town and Four Bears, the initial report of two armed males, and the joint FBI and Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department investigation.
Claims involving a third shooting victim, four arrests, suspect identities or a motive have not been independently confirmed and are therefore not presented as established facts.