Change of plea hearing set for Kalispell teen accused of shooting sister
JACK UNDERHILL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 months AGO
Casey Kreider
KALISPELL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION REPORTER Jack Underhill covers Kalispell city government, housing and transportation for the Daily Inter Lake. His reporting focuses on how local policy decisions affect residents and the rapidly growing Flathead Valley. Underhill has reported on housing challenges, infrastructure issues and regional service providers across Montana. His work also includes accountability reporting on complex community issues and public institutions. Originally from Massachusetts, Underhill graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a degree in Journalism before joining the Inter Lake. In his free time, Underhill enjoys mountain biking around the valley, skiing up on Big Mountain or exploring Glacier National Park. IMPACT: Jack’s work helps residents understand how growth, housing and infrastructure decisions affect the future of their community. | February 5, 2026 11:00 PM
A Kalispell teenager accused of shooting his sister in the head on Halloween in 2024 is poised to change his plea.
Kiefer Votaw, 15, is charged with attempted deliberate homicide following the Oct. 31, 2024 shooting that left Votaw’s teenage sister hospitalized. Arraigned Oct. 2, 2025 in Flathead County District Court, where he was expected to stand trial as an adult, he pleaded not guilty to the felony charge.
Votaw’s change of plea hearing is scheduled for March 11 in front of Judge Paul Sullivan. Defense Attorney Jason Bryan* filed a motion seeking the change of plea hearing late last month. Deputy County Attorney Larissa Malloy, who is prosecuting the case, did not object, according to court documents.
The shooting on the 400 block of South Meridian Road occurred while Votaw’s mother and 18-year-old brother had left home to run a brief errand, according to court documents.
That’s when Votaw allegedly retrieved a gun from the family safe, tested its operations, loaded it and gathered extra ammunition. Then he shot his 16-year-old sister once in the back of the head, court documents said.
The mother and older son returned to their home to see the front door open. Inside, the mother found her daughter lying on the living room floor and bleeding from her head, according to court documents.
While Kalispell Police officers responded to the South Meridian Road home, Votaw arrived in the Police Department lobby, where he allegedly admitted to shooting his sister and said he had the gun on him.
Officers seized a 9 mm handgun from Votaw, and it was determined that the girl’s wounds were from a gunshot, court documents said.
Sullivan in October of last year denied Votaw’s request to be tried in youth court. He said in his order that there was overwhelming evidence indicating Votaw made a premeditated attempt to kill his sister.
Votaw’s sister reported that prior to the shooting he watched videos of people being killed to desensitize himself, court documents alleged.
Sullivan also said that the compressed time frame of youth court would not provide enough time for Votaw to receive needed psychological help.
Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].
*This story has been corrected.
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