By Sarah Elmquist Squires
The Ranger
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

RIVERTON —  A Riverton man who fatally shot his former landlord in August 2023 was found guilty by a federal jury of all charges, including first-degree murder. 

Burdick Seminole Sr. now faces a mandatory life sentence in prison for shooting and killing wheelchair-bound Michael Standingelk on August 8, 2023, at Standingelk’s Rendezvous Road home. 

Seminole attempted to use an insanity defense, then later self defense, though both arguments were rejected by Judge Scott Skavdahl and were not allowed at trial. 

Skavdahl also restricted prosecutors from presenting evidence or suggestion of Seminole’s alleged drinking, using or dealing drugs, sexual misconduct, or other “bad acts” to the jury. 

The crime

Seminole had previously resided at the home before being evicted in April 2023 for allegedly using drugs and bringing young girls to the residence to get them high, court documents described. 

Then, on August 8, Seminole returned to the residence, where Standingelk then lived with nine adults and three children. Seminole entered the residence and woke Standingelk and his partner by slapping the victim in the head. 

As the two began arguing, Standingelk threw his cellphone to his significant other and told her to call police as he got into his wheelchair and pursued Seminole down the hall. 

When Standingelk caught up with Seminole in the living room, Seminole began pistol whipping Standingelk in the face. 

A witness living in the home at the time reportedly also had a firearm, which Standingelk grabbed. He attempted to shoot at Seminole, but the gun jammed; one witness heard Seminole say “pull the trigger” and “try again.” 

Then, Seminole pulled a trigger of his own, shooting and killing Standingelk. 

Another witness in the home fired a shot at Seminole from a bedroom doorway; Seminole returned fire before fleeing the residence. 

The witness followed him outside and shot at Seminole’s car as he drove away. 

Seminole had also reportedly been shot, and he drove himself to Wind River Cares for treatment. 

There he told investigators he went to the Rendezvous Road residence because he had “had enough of [Standingelk] talking smack” and threatening his daughter. He claimed he was trying to leave the residence when he heard Standingelk telling others to beat him up, and when he turned around, Standingelk was pointing a gun at him and pulled the trigger. 

He claimed he heard a loud boom, then ran to his vehicle and retrieved a .45-caliber pistol, and that his memory then became foggy. 

Investigators found a black Springfield XDS pistol in the front passenger seat of Seminole’s vehicle, loaded with a cartridge in the chamber. 

A Bureau of Indian Affairs officer overheard Seminole say, “I shouldn’t have picked up that gun.” 

Along with the first degree murder charge, Seminole was also convicted of causing a death with a firearm during a crime of violence and using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 

His sentencing is set for February 6, 2025.