PORTLAND, Ore.—A Umatilla, Oregon, man has been charged with murdering an adult male victim on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Kawlija Nicoah Scott, 25, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with murder.
According to the complaint, on May 25, 2022, Umatilla Tribal Police Department officers responded to a stabbing at a residence on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Officers and paramedics found an adult male on scene who had sustained multiple stab wounds including one to his chest. Life-saving efforts were made, but the victim later died at a nearby hospital.
Further investigation revealed that Scott had stabbed the victim in the victim’s residence before fleeing the scene. Witnesses observed Scott running down a nearby road and waving two knives in the air. A short time later, tribal police officers located Scott and arrested him without incident.
Scott made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Armistead. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Umatilla Tribal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley R. Cadotte is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.