Alison J. Ramsdell U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota
A man has been charged with assault with intent to commit murder following an incident at the Wounded Knee Memorial Site in the Pine Ridge Reservation. United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Raymond Eagle Hawk, Jr., 18, from Wounded Knee, South Dakota, faces charges for allegedly stabbing a visitor.
On June 12, 2025, Eagle Hawk was reportedly intoxicated and panhandling at the parking lot of the Wounded Knee cemetery. A 71-year-old man and his wife were visiting from Texas when Eagle Hawk asked them for money. After receiving a small sum, Eagle Hawk allegedly demanded more. When the victim refused, he was stabbed in the throat by Eagle Hawk.
The victim suffered severe injuries and attempted to reach his vehicle before being taken to Pine Ridge hospital. He was later flown to Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City for emergency surgery.
Eagle Hawk appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 18, 2025, pleading not guilty to the charges. He is currently in custody pending further hearings scheduled for June 27, 2025.
If convicted, Eagle Hawk could face up to 20 years in federal prison. It is important to note that these are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case falls under federal jurisdiction due to the Major Crimes Act requiring certain violent crimes in Indian Country be prosecuted federally rather than at the state level.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division are handling the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Heather Knox is leading the prosecution.
