NEW TOWN, North Dakota — Authorities are investigating a deadly Friday night shooting in the New Town area that left two people dead and a third person injured, prompting an overnight shelter-in-place order across New Town and Four Bears.
The shooting occurred on Friday, September 25, 2026, and triggered a large law-enforcement response after authorities warned that two armed men dressed in black were reportedly moving through the area on foot.
By Saturday afternoon, Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement Services confirmed that four suspects had been apprehended. Authorities also confirmed that a third person was injured and transported to Trinity Hospital in Minot for treatment.
The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from tribal, local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies.
What Happened in New Town, North Dakota?
The incident began Friday evening when law enforcement responded to reports of a shooting in the New Town area.
An emergency warning was issued at approximately 10:28 p.m., placing both New Town and Four Bears under an active-threat shelter-in-place order.
According to MHA Emergency Operations, authorities were searching for two armed males dressed in black who were reportedly on foot in the New Town area.
Residents were instructed to remain indoors, lock their doors, stay away from windows and avoid travelling through the affected area.
Anyone who saw the individuals or noticed suspicious activity was told not to approach them and instead contact law enforcement immediately.
Two People Confirmed Dead
The FBI confirmed Saturday that two people died as a result of the shooting.
Authorities initially withheld the victims’ identities while relatives were being notified.
As of the latest verified reporting reviewed for this article, law enforcement had not publicly identified the two people who died.
The supplied incident account identifies the deceased as Travis Smith and his son, Mark Smith, but those names have not been independently confirmed by the FBI, Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement Services or current major local reporting.
For that reason, their identities should remain treated as preliminary until authorities or the families provide confirmation.
Third Person Injured and Taken to Trinity Hospital
Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement Services later confirmed that a third person was injured in the shooting.
The injured person was transported to Trinity Hospital in Minot for medical treatment.
The person’s medical condition was not disclosed in the latest verified update.
The supplied account identifies the injured victim as Marie Church, but that name has not yet been independently confirmed through the official reporting reviewed.
Four Suspects Apprehended
A major development in the investigation came Saturday afternoon when tribal law enforcement announced that four suspects had been apprehended.
Earlier FBI information had not confirmed any arrests, but an updated statement from Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement Services later established that four people were in custody.
Authorities have not publicly released:
- The suspects’ names
- Their ages
- Their hometowns
- Their alleged individual roles
- Whether formal criminal charges have been filed
- Whether additional suspects are being sought
Being apprehended does not by itself establish criminal guilt. Any charges and court proceedings will determine the formal allegations against those taken into custody.
Shelter-in-Place Order Issued for New Town and Four Bears
The shooting prompted authorities to take immediate public-safety precautions Friday night.
MHA Emergency Operations issued an active-threat shelter-in-place order for New Town and Four Bears at approximately 10:28 p.m.
The emergency alert told residents to:
- Stay indoors
- Lock doors
- Stay away from windows
- Avoid leaving their homes
- Stay clear of the New Town area if outside the affected zone
- Follow all law-enforcement instructions
- Call 911 if they saw the reported armed individuals
A wireless emergency alert was also distributed to people within the affected area.
Shelter-in-Place Lifted Saturday Morning
The shelter-in-place order remained in effect overnight while officers searched the area and investigated the shooting.
MHA Emergency Operations later announced that the order was lifted at approximately 6:10 a.m. Saturday, September 26.
Officials said there was no further known threat to public safety at that time.
Later Saturday, authorities again said there was no known ongoing danger to the public following the apprehension of four suspects.
FBI Leading the Investigation
The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting.
Federal investigators are working with the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department, along with other tribal, local, state and federal agencies.
The FBI said the case falls under federal jurisdiction under the Major Crimes Act because the incident occurred on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.
The investigation is expected to focus on determining:
- What led to the shooting
- Where the incident began
- How many firearms were involved
- The relationship between those involved
- The roles of the four people apprehended
- Whether additional individuals were involved
- A possible motive
Victim Identities Have Not Been Officially Released
Although the supplied report names the two deceased victims as Travis Smith and Mark Smith, current verified reporting does not support publishing those names as officially confirmed.
The FBI previously said the identities of the two deceased people would be released after their next of kin were notified.
Likewise, the identity of the hospitalized third victim has not been officially published in the reporting reviewed.
Until authorities or families make public statements, names circulating through social media or unofficial reports should be treated cautiously.
New Town Shooting: Key Details
| Detail | Current Information |
|---|---|
| Location | New Town area, North Dakota |
| Date | September 25, 2026 |
| Incident | Shooting |
| Confirmed deaths | Two |
| Confirmed injured | One |
| Hospital | Trinity Hospital in Minot |
| Shelter-in-place | Issued for New Town and Four Bears |
| Alert time | Approximately 10:28 p.m. |
| Shelter order lifted | Approximately 6:10 a.m. September 26 |
| Initial threat description | Two armed males dressed in black, reportedly on foot |
| Suspects apprehended | Four |
| Victim identities | Not officially released in verified reporting |
| Reported names | Travis Smith and Mark Smith, unconfirmed |
| Reported injured victim | Marie Church, unconfirmed |
| Lead investigating agency | FBI |
| Tribal law enforcement | Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement Services |
| Public threat | Authorities say no known ongoing threat |
| Investigation | Ongoing |
Why the FBI Is Involved
The incident occurred on or in connection with the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, which is home to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes.
Because certain serious crimes committed in Indian Country fall under federal jurisdiction, the FBI said it is investigating the case under the Major Crimes Act.
Investigations in such cases can involve cooperation between tribal police, federal investigators and other law-enforcement agencies.
College Announces Temporary Closure
The impact of the Friday night events extended into the wider New Town community.
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College announced that it would close on Monday following the tragedies in New Town and the separate death of an elder of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation.
The college said normal operations were expected to resume Tuesday and that counseling services would be available to students needing support.
The announcement reflects the wider community impact of the violence.
What Led to the Shooting?
Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive.
It remains unclear whether:
- The victims and suspects knew one another
- The shooting followed an earlier disagreement
- The incident occurred at a residence, business or outdoor location
- Multiple people fired weapons
- The shooting was targeted
- Other circumstances contributed to the violence
Investigators are continuing to gather evidence before releasing a more complete account.
What Happens Next in the Investigation?
With four suspects now reportedly apprehended, investigators may move toward determining whether sufficient evidence exists to support criminal charges.
The process may involve:
- Interviewing suspects and witnesses
- Processing firearms and ballistic evidence
- Reviewing surveillance footage
- Examining phone and digital records
- Conducting autopsies
- Establishing a detailed timeline
- Reviewing physical evidence from the scene
- Consulting federal prosecutors
Because the investigation is federally led, any criminal charges may potentially be handled through the federal court system depending on the findings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there a shooting in New Town, North Dakota?
Yes. Authorities confirmed a Friday night shooting in the New Town area that resulted in two deaths and one injury.
How many people died?
Two people were confirmed dead.
Was another person injured?
Yes. Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement Services confirmed that a third person was injured and taken to Trinity Hospital in Minot.
Were four suspects arrested?
Authorities confirmed Saturday afternoon that four suspects had been apprehended. Details about formal charges were not available in the latest reporting.
Who were the people killed?
The official reporting reviewed has not yet publicly identified them. The supplied account names Travis Smith and Mark Smith, but those identities remain unconfirmed.
Was Marie Church injured?
The supplied report identifies Marie Church as the injured person, but current official reporting confirms only that a third victim was hospitalized without publicly naming that person.
Was a shelter-in-place order issued?
Yes. New Town and Four Bears were placed under a shelter-in-place order Friday night after authorities reported two armed men on foot.
When was the shelter-in-place lifted?
Authorities lifted the order at approximately 6:10 a.m. Saturday.
Is there still a threat to the public?
Authorities said there was no known ongoing threat to the public in the latest update.
Who is investigating the shooting?
The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department and other law-enforcement agencies.
Has a motive been released?
No. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive.
Final New Town Shooting Update
Authorities have confirmed that a Friday night shooting in New Town, North Dakota, left two people dead and a third person injured.
The incident triggered an overnight shelter-in-place order for New Town and Four Bears while police searched for armed individuals.
That order was lifted at approximately 6:10 a.m. Saturday, and by Saturday afternoon, Three Affiliated Tribes Law Enforcement Services announced that four suspects had been apprehended.
The FBI is leading the investigation and says there is currently no known threat to the public.
The identities of the two people killed and the person injured have not been officially released in the current verified reports.
Although the supplied account identifies the deceased as Travis Smith and Mark Smith and the injured victim as Marie Church, those names should remain classified as unconfirmed until authorities or family representatives release them publicly.
Additional information about the suspects, possible charges and motive is expected as investigators continue their work.
Accuracy Note
Current local reporting confirms the two deaths, one injured person, four suspects apprehended, shelter-in-place order, its 6:10 a.m. cancellation, and the FBI-led investigation.
However, the names Travis Smith, Mark Smith and Marie Church were not independently confirmed in the authoritative reporting reviewed.
Those identities should therefore remain attributed to the supplied report rather than presented as officially established facts until additional confirmation becomes available.