FBI seeks fugitive wanted in Red Lake murder

By Julie Bratvold
Bemidji Pioneer

The FBI is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jacob John Lussier, who is wanted for allegedly fatally shooting Harley James Sayers, 23, of Red Lake, on Saturday in Red Lake.

Lussier, 24, of Red Lake, also known as Jacob Martin, is described as an American Indian male, 6 feet tall, 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his left hand, right forearm, upper left arm and right leg.

According to the FBI, he may be driving a 1988 GMC Jimmy, red with a white stripe, with Red Lake Indian Reservation license plate number 14570.

The FBI report warns that Lussier is considered armed and dangerous and he may be in possession of a sawed-off shotgun and an SKS rifle.

FBI Special Agent Paul McCabe said they have no leads as to Lussier’s whereabouts.

“There’s always that possibility that he is still in hiding up on the reservation,” McCabe said. “That’s why we want to get this information out to the media so hopefully people will see it and we’ll start to get some tips.”

Lussier was charged Sunday in United States District Court with first-degree murder. According to the criminal complaint filed against him, the Red Lake Police Department reeived a call Saturday that someone had been shot in the Bartons Camp area of the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

Upon arrival, a Red Lake police officer spoke to a witness who said “They shot Harley” and directed the officer to an area behind the residence. There, the officer found Sayers’ body. Sayers had an apparent gunshot wound to the body and was deceased when the officer arrived, according to the report.

Investigators found a shotgun pellet on Sayers’ body, and three shotgun shells were behind the house. The witness said “Jake” shot the victim with a shotgun. “Jake” was later identified as Lussier.

Another witness told law enforcement that he or she was present at the time of the shooting. The witness said Sayers was seen sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with a firearm on his lap. The witness allegedly then saw Lussier holding the firearm.

Lussier allegedly ordered Sayers out of the vehicle and shot him as he was exiting.

As the witness was running from the scene, a second gunshot was reportedly heard.

The FBI report states that Lussier fled the scene and is considered a fugitive.

A third witness told authorities that he or she saw Lussier at a residence Saturday. A sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun and an SKS rifle were also reportedly seen at the residence.

None of the witnesses were identified in the criminal complaint.

Anyone with information on Lussier’s whereabouts is urged to immediately call 911 or the FBI at (612) 376-3200. The FBI report states that citizens should not approach or try to apprehend Lussier.