Two Seneca Indian Factions Clash Over Political Control; 3 Killed

A gun battle erupted at dawn Saturday between factions feuding for control of the Seneca Nation of Indians, killing three people.

Tensions have been high since Dennis Bowen was elected Seneca president in November and then refused to step down when the tribal council impeached him in February.

Council members accused him of refusing to hold meetings, barring opponents from meetings he did hold and kicking two people off the council. They also appointed Karen Bucktooth president.

“We’re on the verge of a civil war,” said Rose Patterson, a Bowen aide. “If people allow the violence to continue, it’s going to be a long time before police leave the reservation.”

The Cattaraugus and nearby Allegany reservations have been the scene of recurring conflicts. In 1992, Senecas clashed with state police and blockaded highways to protest New York state’s effort to tax cigarette and gasoline sales on the reservations.

Saturday’s shooting at a tribal government building, occupied by Bowen supporters for more than a month, began when a group fired into the building and its occupants fired back, Erie County Sheriff Thomas Higgins said.

“There was a lot of loud arguing for three minutes, finally I heard nothing but shots fired: Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam,” Seneca Marshal Les McComber said.

Patterson said five Bucktooth supporters stormed the building after a night of drinking. Tim Clark, a spokesman for Bucktooth, said those who were killed attempted to enter the building after their tires were shot out by Bowen supporters.

All three dead were Bucktooth supporters, according to both sides. A fourth man, a Bowen supporter, was shot in the hand and leg.

It’s not their first clash. Two people were beaten up and another was shot in the arm before a meeting of Bucktooth supporters last month.

Bowen and Bucktooth called for peace but said they could not guarantee their supporters would comply.

Two Justice Department mediators arrived at the reservation Saturday but would not comment.