SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO ) — Francis Thomas “Tom” Thunder Hawk, Jr., 56, died Sunday after being shot several times at the Pine Ridge Pow Wow on Friday, his significant other Tracey Coleman said Tuesday.
Thunder Hawk was shot several times during the event, Oglala Police and Oglala Sioux Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out said Saturday in social media posts. Star Comes Out described the shooting as an isolated incident between two individuals. Police said the incident involved several individuals.
Coleman is dealing with her own grief but said the community has also been traumatized by the shooting. “This was supposed to be a big event for kids and families. A happy celebration,” Coleman said.
Law enforcement and tribal officials have not released many details about the incident but said a suspect had been detained on Friday.
Coleman believes that Thunder Hawk was protecting their youngest son when he was shot by the suspect. The shooting stems from continued harassment and intimidation of their youngest son which started several years ago in seventh grade, Coleman said. It culminated in the shooting of Thunder Hawk on Friday, she said.
Thunder Hawk and family members were at the weekend event Friday. He had been selected a drum keeper, Coleman said. The drum keeper plays the drum and watches over it during events.
“He was excited about that day, taking on that responsibility,” Coleman said. “He was raised knowing the powwow songs.”
Thunder Hawk had been a drum keeper at other events. He also made powwow drums and hand drums. He never sold the hand drums, instead he gave them away, Coleman said.
“He was a giving and compassionate man,” Coleman said. “He had a lot of compassion and gentleness.”
The couple met and became friends more than 20 years ago.
Eventually, she said, he made the first move and the friendship turned into a relationship and that led to marriage.
They were married for 17 years until they separated for several years. They reconciled in August of 2023.
They had six children together. Thunder Hawk also had several grandchildren as well as children from prior relationships, Coleman said.
“He was the provider,” Coleman said of one of Thunder Hawk’s roles in their relationship.
Officials said Friday’s shooting happened around 10:15 p.m. Coleman had left the event at about 9:45 p.m. to pick up their daughter.
She was listening to a radio broadcast of the powwow when it suddenly went off the air. Coleman immediately tried to call and text Thunder Hawk. She contacted another family member who told her “They shot Tom. They shot Tom,” Coleman said. “I turned right around.”
Coleman eventually got the hospital in Pine Ridge and then on to Monument Health in Rapid City to be with Thunder Hawk. He died in Rapid City at 11:46 a.m. Sunday.
Over the years, Thunder Hawk enjoyed his time with family. He had started participating in local 5k run/walks this spring. “I was very proud of him for doing it,” Coleman said. At 56, it was important for him to maintain his health.
But, Coleman can smile at this thought, Thunder Hawk was also motivated by the T-shirts he’d earn at the run/walk events. “They were like another trophy to him,” she said.
Coleman described Thunder Hawk as the protector of his family. She’s convinced that is what he was doing on Friday night when he was shot.
