burblestein
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Nicole was visiting her sister BS in the 500 block Rancheria Road on the Pomo Rancheria near Manchester, CA. The Native American household also consisted of a 15 year old girl, and Nicole's ten year old son.
The incident began with an attempt to enter the mobile home via a window. Then at 5:43 AM on November 19, 2017, an assailant fired a gun into the Smith family home. The first shot hit the 15 year old girl, who was sleeping in a chair, and wounded her in the buttocks. Jolted awake by the racket, Nicole rushed to the front door. The next shot was through the door, and it hit her in the chest and killed her--right in front of her son.
Someone involved recognized 28 year old Ramon Soto, who had recently been released from the Mendocino County Jail. Supposedly, Soto called LE at about 6:00 AM, to tell them to pick him up at the nearby casino. Having purportedly directed LE to a casino that wouldn't open until 9 AM, Soto was said to have fled to Ukiah via the steep treacherous dirt Mountain View Road rather than the main highways, in an effort to avoid LE. In Ukiah, Soto was arrested. A search of his home on the Manchester Reservation had turned up some pot, which was a parole violation. Once inside, Soto fought with another inmate before being released.
Soto was not held for murder, due to insufficient evidence. It is posited that Nicole was mistaken for her sister. Investigation turned up the fact that Soto had previously disagreed with BS. It is not known if this quarrel was over BS's tribal activism. She had managed to arrange a traditional acorn festival on the nearby abandoned Point Arena Air Force Station, with the long range aim of eventually reclaiming the land for her tribe.
Though not stated in the articles, disputes over tribal lands can be a flashpoint in Native American politics. I am reminded of the trust land murder case involving the Mitchells: CA - Charles, 66, & Noland Mitchell, 34, Ukiah, 31 Oct 2004
Sources below for this rather lengthy entry.
The incident began with an attempt to enter the mobile home via a window. Then at 5:43 AM on November 19, 2017, an assailant fired a gun into the Smith family home. The first shot hit the 15 year old girl, who was sleeping in a chair, and wounded her in the buttocks. Jolted awake by the racket, Nicole rushed to the front door. The next shot was through the door, and it hit her in the chest and killed her--right in front of her son.
Someone involved recognized 28 year old Ramon Soto, who had recently been released from the Mendocino County Jail. Supposedly, Soto called LE at about 6:00 AM, to tell them to pick him up at the nearby casino. Having purportedly directed LE to a casino that wouldn't open until 9 AM, Soto was said to have fled to Ukiah via the steep treacherous dirt Mountain View Road rather than the main highways, in an effort to avoid LE. In Ukiah, Soto was arrested. A search of his home on the Manchester Reservation had turned up some pot, which was a parole violation. Once inside, Soto fought with another inmate before being released.
Soto was not held for murder, due to insufficient evidence. It is posited that Nicole was mistaken for her sister. Investigation turned up the fact that Soto had previously disagreed with BS. It is not known if this quarrel was over BS's tribal activism. She had managed to arrange a traditional acorn festival on the nearby abandoned Point Arena Air Force Station, with the long range aim of eventually reclaiming the land for her tribe.
Though not stated in the articles, disputes over tribal lands can be a flashpoint in Native American politics. I am reminded of the trust land murder case involving the Mitchells: CA - Charles, 66, & Noland Mitchell, 34, Ukiah, 31 Oct 2004
Sources below for this rather lengthy entry.
