A 19-year-old Polson man, accused of shooting and killing 31-year-old Sheldon Fisher on Christmas Day in 2024, pleaded guilty in Polson District Court May 20 to the amended charge of mitigated deliberate homicide.

Elijah Cajune, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was initially charged with deliberate homicide. He pled guilty to the amended charge as part of a plea agreement that calls for a joint recommendation of 40 years in the Montana State Prison with none of that time suspended.

There’s an additional 10 years, all suspended, for use of a dangerous weapon and a joint recommendation for no parole restriction, meaning Cajune could be eligible for parole after serving 10 years in prison. The judge is not bound by the agreement.

According to court records and reports from the Polson Police Department, at around 3:30 a.m. Dec. 25, 2024, law enforcement agencies responded to multiple reports of shots fired at 1002 4th Street West and 408 11th Avenue West in Polson. Polson Police Officers, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies, Flathead Tribal Police and the Montana Highway Patrol arrived to find Fisher dead from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Investigators were able to obtain home security video that appeared to show Fisher approach a nearby house, where a party was underway involving drinking and numerous young adults. The investigation revealed that Fisher had a verbal argument with one of five men regarding a female romantic interest who was attending the house party.

Fisher appeared to be unarmed and challenged one of the young adults to fight.

Four other males, including Cajune, chased Fisher. Cajune removed an object, “consistent with a pistol, from his person” as he gave chase. That occurred out of the camera’s view, according to the charging documents.

Two gunshots were heard, then three males, including Cajune, are seen running back to the house where the party was located and back in view of the camera. The video shows Cajune with both hands concealed in the front pocket area of his hooded sweatshirt. The other male’s hands are in plain sight and do not appear to be holding any objects consistent with a firearm.

One of the males can be heard on the video saying, “Elijah shot a fool ...” and “Elijah shot Sheldon.” Numerous people, including Cajune, are seen getting into a Ford Expedition to flee the scene.

Law enforcement was unable to locate a weapon used in the shooting, but they did find a .45 round which appeared to have passed through Fisher and stopped in his sweatshirt. The officers were also able to identify and locate many of the witnesses shown in the video surveillance.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for July 15. Cajune remains at liberty after posting $200,000 bond.