Federal agents interview wounded Seminole lawye

TAMPA -- Seminole general counsel Jim Shore remained in critical condition Friday after sustaining several gunshot wounds but was able to talk to police and federal agents investigating the attempt on his life.

"I understand from those who have spoken to him that his condition is steadily improving," said Donald Orlovsky, a Palm Beach lawyer who represents the tribe. "It's hoped he'll be released from critical care in the near future and moved to a private room."

Shore, 56, who was blinded by an auto accident at age 25 and later became the first member of his tribe to earn a law degree, was hit in the upper torso by several shots fired through the sliding glass door of his Hollywood, Fla., home Wednesday night. Shore underwent surgery at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood early Thursday.

A tribal attorney since 1982, Shore has recently played a critical role of intermediary between the tribe and a federal task force investigating tribal corruption. One of the primary targets of the probe is James E. Billie, the tribal chairman since 1979 who was ousted by the tribal council last year.

Since then, Shore has helped put together two lawsuits accusing Billie and several associates of bilking the tribe of millions of dollars through illegal stock schemes and manipulation of payroll records.

Hollywood police declared almost immediately that the shooting was not random. Orlovsky characterized it as an assassination attempt.

Agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs moved in to assist the shooting investigation and were able to interview Shore Friday, said Hollywood Detective Carlos Negrone. Shore's hospital room was guarded.

Negrone said police still had no suspects but were looking for a blue Ford Econovan seen leaving Shore's Emerald Hills neighborhood shortly after the shooting.

A tribal council meeting scheduled for Friday was canceled and the elected council members were provided armed security from the Seminole Department of Law Enforcement.

Michael Kamen, another attorney for the Seminoles, said details were being worked out for the tribe to offer a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Shore's assailant.

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