A screen shot of a post on Facebook that shows Chief Bill John Baker, in a Cherokee Nation shirt and with a tribal medallion, carrying a gun at the pigeon shoot.

Principal Chief Bill John Baker of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma won't face a criminal investigation for participating in a live pigeon shoot last year.

Attorney General Todd Hembree said the tribe's animal cruelty laws did not apply to hunting or shooting of the kind at issue. He also said the tribe lacked jurisdiction because the September 5, 2014, event did not occur within Cherokee territory.

Baker apologized for attending the live pigeon shoot, which was held as part of a fundraiser for Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma). The tribe donated $2,500 to the incumbent Republican, who easily defeated Democrat Matt Silverstein, who is a member of the Choctaw Nation, for the seat.

Baker is running for a second term as leader of the nation's largest tribe.

Get the Story:
No criminal investigation for Baker's pigeon shoot attendance (The Cherokee Phoenix 1/7)
Baker announces bid for re-election (The Tahlequah Daily Press 1/7)
Baker sets sights on new term as Cherokee chief (The Muskogee Phoenix 1/9)

Related Stories:
Cherokee Nation director didn't notice pigeon shoot at fundraiser (10/03)
Cherokee Nation chief apologizes for attending live pigeon shoot (10/01)
Cherokee chief participated in live pigeon shoot for Sen. Inhofe (9/30)