A Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputy and a Eureka Police officer were ambushed when they responded to the scene of an alleged homicide near Eureka Friday night, according to charging documents filed Monday.

The affidavit of probable cause revealed details of a chaotic situation at a property south of Eureka on Lone Pine Trail where Deputy Ryan Terpsma was shot and killed, and Eureka Police officer David Steed was wounded. Merrisa Walker, 46, of Eureka, was also shot to death in the incident. 

The accused shooter, 50-year-old Kalispell resident Mathew David Dye, appeared Monday in Lincoln County District Court after being held at the Flathead County Detention Center over the weekend. Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield ruled that probable cause existed for the case to proceed. He also ruled that Dye be held without bail. 

 The charging documents detail a scene where the defendant allegedly exchanged gunfire with the father of the deceased woman living on the property, Dye allegedly “hunting” Walker's daughter and a pursuit where he allegedly fired at several law enforcement officers and disabled multiple patrol vehicles. 

According to the affidavit, Walker's father told county detectives that Dye arrived at the property at about 6:15 p.m., on Friday, and that Dye’s juvenile daughter was with him. Dye left, then returned about 15 minutes later.  

Dye told Walker's father to return to his camper, but after he refused Dye allegedly punched the man in the face and struck him with a broom. The man then retrieved a Glock 26 pistol from his car and went inside the camper where he called his daughter and told her Dye had assaulted him. 

Fifteen minutes later, Walker’s father saw a vehicle approach the property. Dye reportedly got up from the front porch and began shooting at the vehicle. Walker's father left the camper and shot at Dye before returning to the camper to get another gun. 

While inside, the man said a vehicle struck the camper and knocked him out. After he woke up, he heard more gun shots with a brief pause in between. 

At about 8:23 p.m., Walker called 911 and both officers responded to the scene. A few minutes later, Steed made two radio calls that reported Terpsma had been shot and that 50 rounds were fired by a man with a semiautomatic gun. 

Lincoln County Sgt. Clint Heintz responded at 8:59 p.m. and found both officers suffering from gunshot wounds, court documents said. They were taken to Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell where Terpsma died at about 10:39 p.m. Steed was shot twice in the back, but body armor stopped the bullets. 

Heintz also found Walker shot to death in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. 

When Lincoln County Det. Dan Holskey spoke to Walker’s daughter, who was in the vehicle with her mother during the shooting, she said she ran and hid nearby in the woods while Dye “hunted her,” according to the affidavit. She also said Dye called to her, saying he wouldn’t hurt her. While she was hiding behind one of the patrol vehicles, she saw Dye’s feet and heard him shoot at her. She was injured from shrapnel. 

About five minutes later, she said she heard Dye fire two more rounds before starting his vehicle, a 2016 black Nissan Frontier. She said Dye shot at her again and drove in circles around her, but she moved to stay out of his sight. Dye then drove away, court filings said. 

At about 8:55 p.m., Flathead County dispatch was notified, and officers were told the Frontier was driving south on U.S. 93 with Dye behind the wheel and his young daughter in the pickup, documents said. About 30 minutes later, Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies were in pursuit of the Frontier on Star Meadows Road and Farm to Market Road. 

A few minutes later Flathead County deputies and Dye allegedly exchanged gunfire. 

A Flathead County detective said Dye fired an unknown number of bullets at a trio of law enforcement vehicles, striking all three and disabling at least one. It was also reported that Dye slowed down multiple times in an attempt to allow law enforcement vehicles to get closer before firing, court documents alleged. 

Dye hit speeds of 90 mph on the mountainous, rural roads during the pursuit. A rifle may have been thrown out of the suspect’s vehicle, documents note, but it had not been found. 

At 10:06 p.m., Dye was taken into custody and his daughter was found safe. She was later returned to her mother. During a safety check of the truck, several firearms and possible alcohol containers were seen inside, documents said. 

Flathead County Deputy Attorney Ashley Frechette said her office will work with Lincoln County on charges for any offenses that occurred in Flathead County. 

"The Flathead County Attorney's Office will ensure that Matthew Dye is held accountable for all criminal conduct committed within Flathead County," Frechette said. 

Law enforcement transported the bodies of Terpsma and Walker to the Montana State Crime Lab Monday morning for examination.  

Following the exam in Missoula, they will be returned to Libby. They will travel on U.S. 93 from Missoula through Kalispell and then to Libby on U.S. 2. The public is welcome to show their respect by standing along the roadway. 

Gov. Greg Gianforte ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff through Friday, Nov. 6. 

A memorial fund was set up Monday to support Terpsma's family. This fund is the official and only place for donations that the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the family have authorized, according to a press release from the Sheriff's Office. 

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 31, with all funds going to Terpsma's family. 

Dye had worked in the Whitefish School District as a substitute teacher at Muldown Elementary. Whitefish school officials issued a statement Monday assuring families and staff that security, safety and emotional well-being are priorities following the shooting deaths in Lincoln County. 

"Our district maintains rigorous screening and hiring protocols for all staff and substitutes prior to employment and working in our schools," Superintendent Lisa Bloom and Assistant Superintendent Josh Branstetter said in a statement. "These include mandatory state and federal background checks, fingerprinting, and a thorough reference screening process.   

"Upon reviewing this individual's records, we verified that every requirement was fully satisfied with no cause for concern identified. In addition, our administrative team actively monitors and supports substitute personnel throughout the school day."

    Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ryan Terpsma. (Lincoln County Sheriff's Office)