Two people are in custody, including the alleged victim, after a Saturday night shooting in Libby.

No one was physically harmed in the incident, but the alleged shooter and her former boyfriend are currently in the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Christina Ann Taylor, 29, was arrested Sunday, Oct. 11 and taken to the county jail. She is charged with attempted deliberate homicide and criminal endangerment. At her initial appearance Tuesday in Lincoln County Justice Court, Lincoln County Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield determined there was probable cause for the case to proceed. Her bail was set at $100,000 and a preliminary hearing in Justice Court was scheduled for Oct. 28.

Taylor indicated she wanted to speak to an attorney and her case was assigned to the state Public Defender’s Office.

Court documents indicate the focus of Taylor’s ire was 46-year-old Brian Keith Garner. Garner was taken to jail Oct. 11 after law officers went to the sight of the alleged shooting to see if he was OK. They determined he was fine and he was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear in court. His was bail was set at $5,000 by Lincoln County Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield.

The failure to appear warrant was due to Garner’s alleged violation of a protective order involving Taylor.

In a 2025 court filing, Taylor sought and obtained a permanent order of protection against Garner. It is in effect until July 30, 2030.

Garner is alleged to have violated the protection order Dec. 12 following a traffic stop by Montana Highway Patrol trooper Jonah Logan. In his citation for a speed violation, Tpr. Logan said Garner was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Taylor.

At a Feb. 12 hearing, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 days in the county detention center with 177 suspended. Garner was given credit for spending three days in the lockup. 

On Aug. 4, deputy county attorney Jeff Zwang petitioned to have Garner’s sentence revoked. Garner was supposed to appear Aug. 24 in Justice Court. But, according to court documents, he never showed up and Judge Sheffield signed a warrant for Garner’s arrest. 

Garner’s next court appearance on the revocation is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5. 

In a July 30, 2025, protective order hearing in front of Judge Sheffield, both Taylor and Garner were present. According to the court order, Garner acknowledged facts alleged by Taylor and did not contest them.

Taylor sought protection for herself and two family members from Garner. Taylor reported she and Garner lived together and were in a relationship.

Garner was ordered to stay at least 500 feet from Taylor and the two family members at her residence and other locations. He was also ordered to give Taylor a truck and a residence.

In Taylor’s petition seeking the protection order, she said she owned a firearm which she kept in a night stand in her bedroom. She reported that Garner verbally abused her on the night of July 10, 2025, in front of her family members. She said they were scared because of past violence. Taylor also said police were called and that she couldn’t get her car keys, keeping her from leaving and it made her feel like a hostage.

Taylor detailed alleged past abuse while they lived in Alabama. She said during one disagreement, Garner threw pots and pans and took her vehicle keys. In another disagreement, she said he put his hand on her head and said, “hit me, I want you to.” Taylor also said Garner shoulder checked her. In a third disagreement, she said Garner took her phone and smashed it in an attempt to prevent her from calling police or anyone.

Additional court filings indicate the couple’s troubles predated their arrival in Libby more than one year ago when they lived in Alabama.

    Brian Keith Garner. (Photo courtesy Lincoln County Sheriff's Office)