Police seek info on Whitefish shooting spree

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial says the person who went on a shooting spree Saturday morning, killing two deer and hitting a pet store in the central part of town, was so negligent that it’s fortunate someone was not hurt.

“We’re lucky we’re not investigating a death. The person who did this is totally irresponsible and extremely negligent,” said Dial, who is urging the public to report any information about a possible suspect.

“We’re just encouraging the public, anyone who saw anything, to call us. Someone this negligent could hurt someone or kill someone.”

At about 4 a.m. Saturday, Whitefish Police responded to a report of semi-automatic gunfire in the area of Baker Avenue and Third Street.

At about 7:45 a.m., officers received information that a deer was found shot to death in a yard in the same area. At 9:20 a.m., a wounded deer was spotted in the yard of the Presbyterian Church on Third Street and Central Avenue.

The deer had to be destroyed.

Officers searched the area and found that numerous bullets had penetrated the wall of the pet store on Third Street, damaging equipment and furniture inside the building.

Dial said he does not believe the shooter was targeting the pet store for a particular reason.

“I think the deer were standing in the yard there,” he said. “I don’t think it had anything to do with the pet store.”

Whitefish Police are conducting a joint investigation with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens who have been investigating poaching cases in the Whitefish area for the last few months.

“We’re still investigating. We’re looking at a lot of videos from around the area to see if we can pick up something off the videos,” Dial said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Whitefish Police at 863-2420 or Crime Stoppers at 752-8477.