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Fort Peck Today
By the People, for the People
FBI Investigates Machete Attack on 11-Year-Old in Montana
Federal agents take over case after juveniles arrested for assault on reservation
Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:28pm
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A close-up of the machete used in the violent attack on a Montana reservation exposes the brutality of the crime.Fort Peck TodayThe FBI has taken over the investigation into a machete attack on an 11-year-old boy in Poplar, Montana. Two juvenile suspects, a 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl, were previously arrested by Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement following the incident, which was recorded and shared on social media. Federal authorities are now looking into the case, which occurred on the Fort Peck Reservation.
Why it matters
Attempted murder is a federal felony, and when a serious crime like this takes place on tribal land, the FBI typically gets involved to provide additional investigative resources and expertise that may not be available to the local tribal police department. This case highlights the cooperation between federal and tribal law enforcement agencies when dealing with major crimes on reservations.
The details
According to reports, on March 30, 2026, Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement responded to an incident between a group of juveniles in Poplar, Montana, which was recorded and shared on social media. The authorities arrested a 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl, who are suspected of attacking an 11-year-old boy with a machete, leaving him with deep lacerations to his right knee that required surgery. The FBI has now taken over the investigation, as attempted murder on tribal land falls under federal jurisdiction.
- The incident occurred on March 30, 2026.
- The two juvenile suspects were arrested by Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement shortly after the attack.
The players
Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement
The local law enforcement agency that initially responded to the incident and arrested the two juvenile suspects.
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has now taken over the investigation into the machete attack on the 11-year-old boy.
12-year-old boy
One of the two juvenile suspects arrested for the machete attack.
13-year-old girl
The other juvenile suspect arrested for the machete attack.
11-year-old boy
The victim of the machete attack, who suffered deep lacerations to his right knee that required surgery.
What they’re saying
“On Monday, March 30th, 2026, law enforcement responded to a report of an incident between a number of juveniles in the Poplar area. The incident was also recorded and displayed on social media.”
— Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement
“At this time, two juvenile suspects have been arrested and are in custody, and the incident is currently under investigation. There is no threat to the community.”
— Fort Peck Tribal Law Enforcement
What’s next
The FBI will continue its investigation into the machete attack, and the two juvenile suspects could face serious federal charges, including attempted murder.
The takeaway
This case highlights the cooperation between federal and tribal law enforcement agencies when dealing with major crimes on reservations, as well as the serious consequences that juvenile suspects can face for violent offenses, even when the victims are also minors.
