Cherie Lash Rhoades
Tribal Governance Dispute
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Cedarville, California
TIME PERIOD
February 20, 2014
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On February 20, 2014, a mass shooting occurred at the Cedarville Rancheria's office in Alturas, California, during a tribal eviction meeting. Cherie Lash Rhoades, a 44-year-old former tribal chairperson who had recently been ousted and was under federal investigation for over $50,000 in missing funds, opened fire with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, resulting in four fatalities and two injuries. After exhausting her ammunition, Rhoades used a butcher knife to stab one of the injured individuals before fleeing the scene. She was apprehended shortly thereafter. The case is currently resolved with Rhoades facing multiple charges, including murder and attempted murder, and is awaiting trial. Significant evidence includes eyewitness accounts, ballistic evidence from the firearm, and the knife used in the attack.
Community analysis and theories will be displayed here when available.
The Cedarville Rancheria: A Tale of Tradition, Tragedy, and Tribulation
Nestled in Modoc County, California, a mere 30 miles south of the Oregon border, lies the Cedarville Rancheria. This federally recognized tribe of Northern Paiute people, known in their native tongue as "pasɨɨbi," occupies a small enclave of 26 acres in Cedarville. Their tribal headquarters, however, is situated 20 miles away in Alturas. The tribe, with a population of 35 enrolled members in 2011, is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, operating an agency dedicated to keeping their land pristine and educating their youth on ecological responsibility.
Governance and Community
The Cedarville Rancheria is governed by a community council comprising all members over the age of 18, ensuring that every voice within the tribe is heard. At the helm of this leadership structure are Chairwoman Melissa Davis, Vice Chairman Richard Lash, and Secretary Brandi Pratt. Together, they steer the tribe as a unified entity.
A Century of Resilience
Established in 1914, the Cedarville Rancheria spans 20 acres within the unincorporated community of Cedarville. By 1990, the rancheria was home to six residents, a number that modestly increased to 13 by the 2010 census. The tribe's lineage can be traced back to an official census roll dated July 18, 1954. Among their entrepreneurial ventures is the Cedarville Rancheria Public Scales, alongside a mini-mart and truck stop off the highway, which serves as a testament to their resilient spirit and adaptability.
Historical and Cultural Context
The Cedarville Rancheria is a proud branch of the Northern Paiute people, who, before European contact, thrived in the harsh desert environment through a communal approach to hunting and gathering. Tragically, the arrival of Europeans brought with them devastating diseases like smallpox, leading to significant losses within the tribe.
The 2014 Shooting: A Community in Shock
On February 20, 2014, the tranquility of the Cedarville Rancheria was shattered. Cherie Lash Rhoades, aged 44 and a former tribal chairperson recently ousted and under federal investigation for the disappearance of at least $50,000 in tribal funds, turned a routine eviction meeting into a scene of horror. Armed with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, she unleashed terror in the tribe's Alturas office, killing four and injuring two others. Running out of ammunition, Rhoades seized a butcher knife from the office kitchen, brutally stabbing an individual already wounded by gunfire.
The victims of this tragic event included her own 50-year-old brother, Rurik Davis; her 19-year-old niece, Angel Penn; and her 30-year-old nephew, Glenn Calonicco. The fourth victim was 47-year-old Sheila Lynn Russo, the tribal administrator and a mother of two. Rhoades was captured outside the building, brandishing the knife, and subsequently taken into custody. Her trial concluded with a death sentence in April 2017, marking her as a rare case in the annals of female mass shooters.
Education and Community Service
Despite the tragedy, the Cedarville Rancheria continues to serve its community, with educational needs met by the Surprise Valley Joint Unified School District. The tribe remains steadfast in preserving its cultural heritage while navigating the complexities of modern governance.
Sources
For more information, visit the Wikipedia page.
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Mass Shooting at Tribal Office
Cherie Lash Rhoades opens fire during an eviction meeting, killing four and injuring two.
Arrest of Cherie Lash Rhoades
Rhoades is arrested outside the tribal office after the shooting incident.
Trial Begins
Trial for Cherie Lash Rhoades begins, focusing on the mass shooting incident.
Rhoades Sentenced to Death
Cherie Lash Rhoades is sentenced to death for the murders of four individuals.
On February 20, 2014, a mass shooting occurred at the Cedarville Rancheria's office in Alturas, California, during a tribal eviction meeting. Cherie Lash Rhoades, a 44-year-old former tribal chairperson who had recently been ousted and was under federal investigation for over $50,000 in missing funds, opened fire with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, resulting in four fatalities and two injuries. After exhausting her ammunition, Rhoades used a butcher knife to stab one of the injured individuals before fleeing the scene. She was apprehended shortly thereafter. The case is currently resolved with Rhoades facing multiple charges, including murder and attempted murder, and is awaiting trial. Significant evidence includes eyewitness accounts, ballistic evidence from the firearm, and the knife used in the attack.
Community analysis and theories will be displayed here when available.
The Cedarville Rancheria: A Tale of Tradition, Tragedy, and Tribulation
Nestled in Modoc County, California, a mere 30 miles south of the Oregon border, lies the Cedarville Rancheria. This federally recognized tribe of Northern Paiute people, known in their native tongue as "pasɨɨbi," occupies a small enclave of 26 acres in Cedarville. Their tribal headquarters, however, is situated 20 miles away in Alturas. The tribe, with a population of 35 enrolled members in 2011, is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, operating an agency dedicated to keeping their land pristine and educating their youth on ecological responsibility.
Governance and Community
The Cedarville Rancheria is governed by a community council comprising all members over the age of 18, ensuring that every voice within the tribe is heard. At the helm of this leadership structure are Chairwoman Melissa Davis, Vice Chairman Richard Lash, and Secretary Brandi Pratt. Together, they steer the tribe as a unified entity.
A Century of Resilience
Established in 1914, the Cedarville Rancheria spans 20 acres within the unincorporated community of Cedarville. By 1990, the rancheria was home to six residents, a number that modestly increased to 13 by the 2010 census. The tribe's lineage can be traced back to an official census roll dated July 18, 1954. Among their entrepreneurial ventures is the Cedarville Rancheria Public Scales, alongside a mini-mart and truck stop off the highway, which serves as a testament to their resilient spirit and adaptability.
Historical and Cultural Context
The Cedarville Rancheria is a proud branch of the Northern Paiute people, who, before European contact, thrived in the harsh desert environment through a communal approach to hunting and gathering. Tragically, the arrival of Europeans brought with them devastating diseases like smallpox, leading to significant losses within the tribe.
The 2014 Shooting: A Community in Shock
On February 20, 2014, the tranquility of the Cedarville Rancheria was shattered. Cherie Lash Rhoades, aged 44 and a former tribal chairperson recently ousted and under federal investigation for the disappearance of at least $50,000 in tribal funds, turned a routine eviction meeting into a scene of horror. Armed with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, she unleashed terror in the tribe's Alturas office, killing four and injuring two others. Running out of ammunition, Rhoades seized a butcher knife from the office kitchen, brutally stabbing an individual already wounded by gunfire.
The victims of this tragic event included her own 50-year-old brother, Rurik Davis; her 19-year-old niece, Angel Penn; and her 30-year-old nephew, Glenn Calonicco. The fourth victim was 47-year-old Sheila Lynn Russo, the tribal administrator and a mother of two. Rhoades was captured outside the building, brandishing the knife, and subsequently taken into custody. Her trial concluded with a death sentence in April 2017, marking her as a rare case in the annals of female mass shooters.
Education and Community Service
Despite the tragedy, the Cedarville Rancheria continues to serve its community, with educational needs met by the Surprise Valley Joint Unified School District. The tribe remains steadfast in preserving its cultural heritage while navigating the complexities of modern governance.
Sources
For more information, visit the Wikipedia page.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting at Tribal Office
Cherie Lash Rhoades opens fire during an eviction meeting, killing four and injuring two.
Arrest of Cherie Lash Rhoades
Rhoades is arrested outside the tribal office after the shooting incident.
Trial Begins
Trial for Cherie Lash Rhoades begins, focusing on the mass shooting incident.
Rhoades Sentenced to Death
Cherie Lash Rhoades is sentenced to death for the murders of four individuals.