Scott faces federal murder charge
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PORTLAND – Kawlija Nicoah Scott, 25, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of Gabriel David Freeman on the Umatilla Indian Reservation May 25.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland formally charged Scott with murder. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Armistead and has been ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
According to the complaint, Umatilla Tribal Police responded to a stabbing at Freeman’s home on the reservation. Life-saving attempts were made, but the victim died at a nearby hospital.
Further investigation revealed that Scott was seen running down a nearby road, waving two knives in the air. A short time later he was arrested by Tribal police without incident.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Umatilla Tribal Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley R. Cadotte.
As in all of its releases regarding charges against individuals, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reminds the public that this is an accusation of a crime and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
