By Zach Spadt
Staff Writer 

Worland man facing federal murder charges

 

Jesus Deniz

WORLAND - A Worland man is facing murder charges in connection with the shooting deaths that occurred Wednesday near Pryor, Mont.

Jesus Yeizon Deniz, 18, of Worland, appeared in the Montana District of U.S. District Court in Billings Friday.

According to criminal complaint filed by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, on July 29 at approximately 10:11 a.m., Crow Reservation Dispatch received report of a shooting near Pryor. The first law enforcement officers on the scene observed a deceased male and deceased female lying in the road, face-down. The victims, according to the Associated Press, were later identified as Tana and Jason Shane.

The alleged victims' daughter, Jorah Shane, was with her parents when the shooting occurred. According to the complaint, Jorah Shane told Bureau of Indian Affairs and FBI investigators that her mother came to her house and told her that there was someone who needed assistance.

The family then traveled to where Deniz was parked, and, as they were approaching the vehicle, Deniz allegedly stepped out of his car and pointed a .22 caliber rifle at them and ordered them out of the car, according to the complaint.

"They told him that they did not have any money. (Deniz) then told them to start walking away from their car. As they were walking (Jorah Shane) heard a gunshot. When (Jorah Shane) turned around, she saw her father lying on the road," the complaint alleges.

The complaint states that Jorah Shane began to run away.

"As she was running, (Jorah Shane) heard her mother scream, but she did not turn around because she was scared," according to the complaint.

Jorah Shane kept running and felt blood from what was later determined to be from a gunshot wound, running down her face, according to the complaint.

"She heard another gunshot and felt a bullet hit her in the back. (Jorah Shane) stated that when she turned around, she saw the unknown male get into her car and drive off. (Jorah Shane) was able to yell for help, and she caught the attention of some individuals at the St. Charles Mission School," the complaint alleges.

Jorah Shane told authorities that a car drove to her location to assist her. The driver then got out of the car and began walk toward her deceased parents, the complaint states.

"Fearing that (Deniz) would come back, (Jorah Shane) got into the car and drove away. (Jorah Shane) then heard gunshots, but was not sure what (Deniz) was shooting at," according to the complaint.

The complaint states that Jorah Shane was able to drive the short distance to her sister's house. Her relatives then took her to a medical facility to treat her injuries.

Jorah Shane was able to identify Deniz as the person who shot her and her parents, the complaint alleges.

As a result of a law enforcementbulletin, Jorah Shane's car, a gray 2006 Pontiac G6 Sedan, bearing Montana license plates, was located near Meeteese by a Park County Sheriff's Deputy. Deniz was subsequently arrested and identified.

According to the affidavit, Deniz told FBI special agents that he shot three people with a .22 caliber rifle.

Deniz allegedly told the investigating agents that he shot the victims because he "was getting tired of waiting around and because the daughter laughed at him."

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in Montana District Court in Billings, Mont. for 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 5.

Worland High School Principal Kevin Smith confirmed that Deniz dropped out of WHS as a sophomore.

Deniz' family declined to speak with the press.

 
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