The suspect in a deadly shooting spree near Eureka on Friday, Oct. 30 had worked at Whitefish School District as a substitute teacher.

Matthew David Dye, 50, of Kalispell was being held at the Flathead County Detention Center with a deliberate homicide warrant pending. He was expected to make a court appearance in Lincoln County on Monday. 

Whitefish school officials issued a statement Monday assuring families and staff that security, safety and emotional well-being are priorities following the shooting deaths of Lincoln County Deputy Ryan Terpsma, 28, and 46-year-old Merrisa Walker. Authorities said a Eureka police officer and a girl were also injured at the scene on 118 Lone Pine Trail near Eureka. 

Whitefish School District confirmed that Dye previously worked periodically as a substitute teacher at Muldown Elementary School. 

"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."  

On Friday evening, Dye allegedly fled from the Eureka 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. 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.  

Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short said, "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 Whitefish School District encouraged families to check-in with their students and shared two resources for children, found at www.dougy.org/resource-articles/talking-with-children-about-tragic-events and a school psychologist's guide document "talking to children about violence." 

    Matthew David Dye. (Flathead County Sheriff's Office photo)