Flags ordered to half-staff for soldier

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer has ordered that flags at government offices be flown at half-staff Friday to honor a Whitefish soldier who was murdered at a Louisiana Army base on June 19.

Byron Whitcomb, 21, was an Army private and former Whitefish High School athlete. 

Marcus Carey, a 25-year-old Ohio civilian, has been charged with murder and attempted murder after Whitcomb was killed and another soldier injured at Fort Polk.

Whitecomb’s mother, Billie Eisinger of Whitefish, said military representatives informed her of her son’s murder. 

The FBI is investigating the attack but has not released any details.

Whitcomb was born in Missoula and grew up in Whitefish. He joined the Army in June 2009.