Shootout with Eureka police lands suspect in hospital

| December 20, 2005 1:00 AM

By CHERY SABOL

The Daily Inter Lake

A 55-year-old man was reportedly in critical condition at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Monday evening after being shot by a Eureka policeman Sunday evening.

Mark Nelson of Eureka reportedly was struck in the chest and legs by three bullets fired by an officer inside the police station. He could face charges of assault on an officer and attempted deliberate homicide, according to Lincoln County Attorney Bernie Cassidy.

Also charged on the periphery of the case is Christopher Showen, 25, who was acquitted of a murder charge in Flathead County in 1999, and Nelson's daughter, Jennifer Nelson, 24.

Cassidy said the incident occurred after an altercation at a bar in downtown Eureka. Mark Nelson and Showen, who were arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct, were released. Jennifer Nelson was arrested on suspicion of several felony and misdemeanor counts, Cassidy said, for allegedly kicking and spitting on officers in the bar and threatening to kill them and their families.

She then was taken to the Eureka Police Department, where she was being detained when the shooting happened.

Mark Nelson reportedly entered the office through a side door and demanded that his daughter be released.

Cassidy he said he doesn't know the exact sequence of events next, but Nelson allegedly fired a 12-gauge shotgun at a Eureka officer, who was not hit and returned fire with a .40-caliber weapon four or five times, striking Nelson three times. Nelson also fired another round at some point, Cassidy said.

Showen was found sitting in Nelson's car parked outside the department, Cassidy said. He may be charged with assault for pushing an officer earlier in the evening and with tampering with evidence. Cassidy said when Showen was being walked from a holding cell to a patrol car, he spat on the floor of the crime scene, potentially tainting a pool of blood.

Nelson was shuttled first by Eureka Ambulance, Whitefish Ambulance and finally the Kalispell Fire Department's ambulance to Kalispell Regional Medical Center where, Cassidy said Monday evening, he is said to be in critical but stable condition with a broken femur and pierced liver.

Jennifer Nelson was taken to the Flathead County jail where she was held briefly and was then returned to Lincoln County.

Cassidy said Showen has a relationship with Jennifer Nelson. Showen's identification shows him to be a resident of Alaska, and Jennifer Nelson's identification was obtained in Colorado, Cassidy said.

Showen was acquitted by a jury in 1999 when he was accused of shooting his 19-year-old friend, Carl "C.J." Storkson, near Olney. After his trial, he moved to Alaska.

The Eureka incident is being investigated by the Division of Criminal Investigation from the Montana Department of Justice. Bureau chief John Strandell said Monday that three agents were gathering information in Eureka. That information eventually will go to Cassidy, who will determine what, if any, charges will be filed.