Benefit funds started for murder victims’ families

Two benefit funds have been established for the families of victims in last weekend’s murders in New Town, N.D.

Benjamin Schuster, 13, Julia Schuster, 10, Luke Schuster, 6, and their grandmother, Martha Johnson, 64, were killed Sunday in Johnson’s home.

The Schuster children grew up in the Warsaw, N.D., area before moving to New Town earlier this year to live with their grandparents. Their parents are Kevin and Rebecca Schuster of Minto, N.D.

A fourth child, who is 12, witnessed the shootings. Police said he survived by playing dead, and then called 911. A fifth child was away from the home at the time.

Kalcie Eagle, 21, of New Town, identified as a “person of interest” in the deaths, committed suicide in front of police Sunday. However, authorities said this week they still are trying to determine what role, if any, Eagle had in the slayings.

Because New Town is on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, the FBI is leading the investigation.

No information has been released about funeral services for Martha Johnson or the Schuster children.

Here is information about the benefit funds:

* Kevin J. Schuster Family Benefit, c/o KodaBank, P.O. Box 315, Minto, ND 58261.

* Johnson Family Benefit Fund, c/o Bethel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 237, New Town, ND 58763.

Tags: community, news, benefit