Birth of a Warrior

Peltier

     

Leonard Peltier deserves all the respect in the world. A document stating Peltier’s gun was not involved in the shooting was withheld. Leonard Peltier is a Native American who was tried and convicted of killing two FBI Special Agents (Ronald A. Williams and Jack R. Coler). He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms of imprisonment and one term of 2 years (of being a felon in possession of a firearm) and 5 years (for escaping from prison). On June 26th, 1975, Special Agents Ronald Williams and Jack Coler drove to the Jumping Bull Compound area of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. They spotted a red and white Chevy Suburban that, they believed, was in connection to an abduction and assault of two ranchers in Menderson, South Dakota. They perused the Chevy to a grassy bowl-like area. One of the three people in the Chevy was reportedly Leonard Peltier. The men in the truck, and others (FBI reports conclude 40) opened fire on the agents. 125 bullets struck the agents’ car and the agents were only able to fire 5 shots. Coler sustained a bullet wound that severely injured his right arm. Williams was shot in the left shoulder and right foot. Coler fell unconscious during the fight. Reportedly, Peltier and others walked toward the injured agents. 3 shots were heard--Williams was shot once in the face (killing him) and Coler (still unconscious) was shot two times (execution style) in the face. A document stating Peltier’s gun was not involved in the shooting was withheld.