HELENA — The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for information to help with a murder investigation in the Helena Valley.
Law enforcement officials said a woman called dispatch just before 3 a.m. on Friday and stated a man had been shot. Deputies responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Lois Drive and found one man who had been shot. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo Dutton said deputies performed CPR, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim has not been identified, but he is described as a 37-year-old man.
Dutton said deputies were informed a suspect was seen fleeing the scene in a vehicle, but witnesses were not able to give them a good description of the vehicle.
Sheriff’s office detectives are investigating the situation as a homicide.
“We have to process the scene, we have to make sure that’s all gone over,” Dutton said. “We have to go out and try to find the individual of interest, and you never know, there might be another crime scene of some kind, but there is quite a bit of investigation that still has to go on.”
Dutton said the investigation has developed a person of interest. While he did not identify the person, he said investigators do not believe they pose any threat to the public, and described the situation as an “isolated” incident.
Dutton said there are likely more witnesses who could have key information.
“The citizenry can make or break this case by helping us find the individual, bring it to a peaceful resolve,” Dutton said. “It’s critical, very critical that they consider doing their part as a citizen of the United States, as a citizen of Montana and of this county. They’re not in any trouble, they’ll help prevent trouble.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office at 406-447-8293.
ORIGINAL REPORT: The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is investigating a homicide that happened early Friday morning in the Helena Valley.
Detectives have determined and are seeking a person of interest in the case. The situation is being investigated as a homicide. No description of the suspect or vehicle is available at this time.
“We do not feel the citizens of Lewis and Clark are in any danger at this point and this incident was isolated to the residents it occurred at,” said Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton.
Deputies responded to the 3000 block of Lois Drive shortly after 3:00 A.M. Nov. 20 after Lewis and Clark Dispatch received a call from a woman saying a man had been shot.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton reports when the deputies arrived, they found a young man who had been shot. The deputies attempted to continue CPR until medical units arrived. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene in the home once medical units arrived.
Law enforcement was notified of a man fleeing the area in their vehicle.
The deceased male is 37 years old. An autopsy will be done by the Crime Lab in Missoula. The next of kin are being notified.
“Our condolences go out to the family of the man who was killed,” said Dutton.
Helena Police and Montana Highway Patrol also responded to the incident.
