10-Year-Old Boy Attacked with Machete in Poplar

Three juveniles arrested after violent assault that left the child with severe injuries requiring multiple surgeries.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:25pm

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An extreme close-up of a machete blade, the metal surface reflecting the harsh light of the camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, and investigative visual metaphor for the violent crime.A chilling close-up of the weapon used in a brutal attack on a child exposes the harsh realities of youth violence in Poplar.Helena Today

A 10-year-old boy in Poplar, Montana was the victim of a machete attack on Monday night, leaving him with serious injuries that required surgery. The boy's grandmother, Kathy RedEagle, described the attack as unprovoked and said the injury to her grandson's knee was so severe it nearly severed his leg. Three juveniles have been arrested in connection with the incident, which was captured on video and shared widely on social media before being taken down.

Why it matters

Violent crimes involving minors are deeply concerning for the Poplar community, raising questions about youth safety, the root causes of such attacks, and whether the juvenile justice system is equipped to properly address and rehabilitate offenders.

The details

According to the boy's grandmother, Kathy RedEagle, the attack occurred just half a mile from her home in Poplar. The boy's knee was severely sliced open, cutting a main tendon, and he required surgery on Tuesday and a second surgery on Thursday. RedEagle said the injury was so severe it nearly severed the boy's leg.

  • The attack occurred on Monday night.
  • The boy underwent surgery on Tuesday.
  • The boy underwent a second surgery on Thursday.

The players

Kathy RedEagle

The 10-year-old boy's grandmother, who described the attack as unprovoked and said the injury to her grandson's knee was severe.

The 10-year-old boy

The victim of the machete attack in Poplar, Montana, who suffered a severe injury to his knee that required multiple surgeries.

Three juveniles

The individuals who have been arrested in connection with the attack on the 10-year-old boy.

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What they’re saying

“She was crying and said (the boy) just called me and said he was stabbed. Get to the ER. Get my mom.”

— Kathy RedEagle, Grandmother of the victim

“I saw how deep the cut was. They almost cut his leg off. It was three-quarters inch. They cut a main tendon. He's going to have a lot of physical therapy.”

— Kathy RedEagle, Grandmother of the victim

“I hope they pay for what they did.”

— Kathy RedEagle, Grandmother of the victim

What’s next

Law enforcement in Poplar continues to investigate the incident, and the three juveniles arrested in connection with the attack are expected to face charges.

The takeaway

This violent attack on a 10-year-old boy in Poplar has left the community shaken and raises serious concerns about youth violence and the need for effective intervention and rehabilitation programs to address the root causes of such crimes involving minors.