Suspect in custody after 3 people killed on Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota

A suspect is in custody Tuesday after three members of the Spirit Lake tribe were found dead following a "tragic shooting incident" in St. Michael's, North Dakota, a tribal leader announced.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs notified the Spirit Lake Tribal Council of the deadly incident Tuesday morning and law enforcement apprehended a suspect Tuesday afternoon, according to a statement from Lonna J. Street, chairwoman of the Spirit Lake Tribe. Street did not identify the victims or the suspect involved.

"As we navigate this difficult time, we ask for the community's empathy and understanding," Street said. "Our hearts go out to the victims' families, and we encourage everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this tragic incident together."

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office told USA TODAY earlier Tuesday that officials were looking for a 25-year-old male suspect with no criminal record in connection to the shooting of three people inside a home. The council said in a previous statement that the "incident" occurred within the boundaries of the reservation.

The shooting prompted the council to issue a shelter-in-place order for residents within the Spirit Lakereservation boundaries, including the districts of St. Michael's, Fort Totten, Crow Hill and Wood Lake, which has since been lifted.

The housing building of the Spirit Lake Housing Corporation and the CHI St. Alexius Health Devils Lake Hospital were also put on lockdown Tuesday, according to statements released on social media. Minnewaukan Public School said it is aware of the incident on the reservation and has been in contact with the Benson County Sheriff's Office.

"We will continue to keep monitor any events that could impact our school," officials said in a statement.

USA TODAY has reached out to local law enforcement, the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs for more information about the investigation.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suspect in custody after 3 people killed on North Dakota reservation