Deputy, woman killed in Lincoln County shooting

A Kalispell man is in custody following an alleged shooting spree that left a woman and a Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy dead during a Friday night disturbance, authorities said.

The suspect, 50-year-old Matthew David Dye, was apprehended following a chase on U.S. 93 during which Dye allegedly shot at pursuing Flathead County deputies.

Lincoln County Deputy Ryan Terpsma, 28, was shot and killed while responding to the initial disturbance call at 8:23 p.m. at 118 Lone Pine Trail near Eureka. A Eureka police officer who accompanied Terpsma to the scene also was injured by gunfire, authorities said.

Dye allegedly fled from the home with a 7-year-old girl in the vehicle, driving south toward Kalispell. Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies located the vehicle and began a chase on U.S. 93, where Dye allegedly shot at and disabled two Flathead County patrol vehicles. Deputies returned fire, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office said in a press release.

Dye stopped and surrendered at a roadblock set up at Bill Creek Road and Mountain Meadow Road, according to the Flathead Sheriff's Office, and deputies recovered the 7-year-old girl unharmed.

During the investigation, authorities discovered that 46-year-old Merrisa Walker also had been shot and killed at the scene of the original call on Lone Pine Trail. A girl also was injured but was treated at the scene and released.

Dye was being held in the Flathead County Detention Center with a deliberate homicide warrant pending. He was expected to make an initial court appearance Monday in Lincoln County.

The Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation will lead the investigation at Short's request.

"It has been trying times in Lincoln County during the last year," Short said in a press release. "We are all deeply affected by the loss of Deputy Terpsma but know we can count on our community to support the Sheriff’s Office and each other as we grieve the loss of this fine young man."

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen offered condolences as well.

"Lincoln County Deputy Ryan Terpsma answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community," he said. "He will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Terpsma's friends and family, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, and the entire Eureka community. I encourage my fellow Montanans to join me. In Montana, we back the blue. As Attorney General, I will do everything I can to provide support to the community and ensure justice is served."

Gov. Greg Gianforte ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor Terpsma.