2 Men Slain in Mohawk Gambling Feud; Police Seal Off Reservation

Gunfire killed two Mohawk Indians on Tuesday and police later closed off the reservation, scene of a 9-month-old fight over casino gambling.

Troopers escorted investigators of the Quebec Provincial Force through the New York section of the reservation to the scene of the shootings, which occurred before dawn Tuesday. The state police said they were entering the reservation as a peacekeeping force.

The first victim, Matthew Pyke, 22, was shot as he was walking in Mohawk territory at Snye, Quebec, during a gun battle between rival factions.

Another man was found dead Tuesday afternoon by Joe Gray, regional editor of the Daily Courier-Observer newspaper in Massena, N.Y. Gray said he spotted the body lying face up a short distance from where Pyke was killed.

The second man was later identified by the Malone Evening Telegram as J. R. Edwards; Quebec police constable Pierre Lemarbre described him as a Mohawk in his 30s.

Gov. Mario M. Cuomo ordered state police to assist Quebec authorities in the investigation. Troopers sealed off the reservation at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Roadblocks were set up on all roads leading onto Indian land were blocked, and even residents were not being allowed to pass.

Indians opposed to gambling blamed the reservation’s self-appointed security force for the first fatal shooting, and also pointed a finger at Cuomo, who they said let the situation get out of control.