RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Pennington County jury has convicted a local woman of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder following a violent shooting in north Rapid City earlier this year.
Pam White Butterfly, 30, was found guilty of killing Lenart Brown Eyes, 68, and seriously injuring his brother, Gerard Brown Eyes, 66, during an incident on Feb. 23, 2025.
According to evidence presented during the trial, White Butterfly shot Lenart Brown Eyes twice at his home on East New York Street in Rapid City, South Dakota. One of the shots severed a major artery in his arm, proving fatal. In the same encounter, Gerard Brown Eyes was shot twice, including a wound to the head, but survived the attack.
Despite suffering critical injuries, Lenart Brown Eyes managed to call 911 and identify the shooter before he died. During the call, he told the dispatcher that White Butterfly had shot both him and his brother, stating, “we’re dying.”
The trial, which began last Tuesday, featured testimony from 30 witnesses. The State presented forensic evidence connecting White Butterfly to the crime scene, including gunshot residue and clothing she was wearing at the time of her arrest that contained Lenart Brown Eyes’ blood.
During closing arguments, Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel highlighted the weight of Lenart Brown Eyes’ dying declaration recorded on the 911 call. Roetzel also pointed to the circumstances of White Butterfly’s arrest; she was found hiding in a dumpster and did not ask officers why she was being detained. Roetzel argued this silence indicated White Butterfly knew she was being taken into custody for shooting two people.
Prosecutors noted that White Butterfly told law enforcement she only visited Lenart Brown Eyes’ home when she wanted to purchase drugs. While the weapon used in the shooting was never recovered, evidence established that a gun belonging to Lenart Brown Eyes was missing from the scene.
“Today’s verdict holds Pam White Butterfly accountable for a senseless and violent act that took the life of Lenart Brown Eyes and forever changed the life of Gerard Brown Eyes and their family,” Roetzel said. “Justice in this case was made possible by the courage of the victims, the strength of the evidence, and the jury’s careful and deliberate consideration of that evidence.”
The case was prosecuted by State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel, Senior Deputy State’s Attorney Olivia Siglin and Legal Extern Thomas Potts.
