FORT TOTTEN, N.D. – A man has been charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly ran over another man with his car on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation.
Lance Alan Robertson, who is either 27 or 28 and is a member of the Spirit Lake Nation, made his initial appearance in federal court Thursday, the day after he was arrested in Fort Totten, according to court documents. He is accused of killing Larse Azure Jr. on Dec. 19.
According to court records, Robertson picked up Azure and four others in a 2004 Dodge Durango early that morning, and they "consumed alcoholic beverages ... as they traveled around the reservation."
Around 2 a.m., some passengers suggested someone other than Robertson drive because “they were concerned with his erratic and unsafe driving,” according to the criminal complaint.
Later, an argument broke out among the vehicle's occupants because Robertson stopped the SUV slightly over the center line in the westbound lane of Indian Service Road 6, according to court records. Passengers told police they were worried about being hit by another car or being arrested.
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Kyle Robertson, Lance Robertson's brother, became frustrated and struck his brother in the face, according to court records.
The passengers then left the car, and one said he heard Lance Robertson yell “you’re all dead” as he put the vehicle in reverse and backed up 15 to 20 yards, according to court documents. He then stopped, revved the engine, drove forward and crossed into the eastbound lane toward three people on the south side of the road, a witness told police.
One witness said he saw Azure waving his arms at Lance Robertson to get him to stop, but the driver struck him with the car.
Lance Robertson didn't stop after striking Azure, according to court records, and continued driving down the road. He later told police he didn't remember striking Azure "but recalled feeling afraid and feeling like had done something bad," according to court records.
Azure was pronounced dead at 3:50 a.m. Dec. 19 at Devils Lake Mercy Hospital.
Lance Robertson has a hearing scheduled for Friday afternoon. Court documents do not indicate whether he has entered a plea. They also did not state his town of residency.
