Press Release: Shooting Injury and Arrest

May 18, 2026

Bemidji Township - Beltrami County, MN: An adult male was injured in a shooting southeast of Bemidji on Friday, May 15, 2026, that resulted in the arrest of another male.

On May 15, 2026, at approximately 2:27pm the Beltrami County Emergency Communications Center received a report of shooting in the 1200 block of Little Norway Ave SE. Deputies and emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene and upon arrival located an adult male who had been shot. The victim was provided medical care before being transported by ambulance to Sanford Bemidji Medical Emergency Department, later being transported to Sanford in Fargo.

An extensive investigation was initiated, and the suspect was identified as 18-year-old Ray Gene Jacob Tahahawah. The suspect vehicle was identified and later located by Red Lake Law Enforcement within the Red Lake Nation. The suspect was taken into custody and charges are pending through the Beltrami County Attorney’s Office. The name of the victim is being withheld and is reported to be in stable condition as of Sunday, May 17.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Bemidji Police Department, Paul Bunyan Task Force, Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, Red Lake Department of Public Safety, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Federal Bureau of Investigations and Bemidji Ambulance Service.

This investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

-Sheriff Jason Riggs