Reward offered in Whitefish shooting

Someone who’s outraged over the recent shootings of two deer in the central Whitefish area has offered up a $500 reward in the case and is asking others to chip in additional reward money.

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial said he and other officers have received an unusual number of inquiries from the public who have characterized the crime as “heinous, cruel, reckless and shocking.”

Early on the morning of Jan. 7, officers responded to a report of semi-automatic gunfire in the area of Baker Avenue and Third Street. Later in the morning in that same area, a deer was found shot to death; another deer that was wounded by gunfire had to be destroyed.

Officers also found that bullets had penetrated the wall of a pet store on Third Street, damaging equipment and furniture inside the building. Investigators believe the deer were standing in front of the store when they were shot.

Dial said several solid leads in the case have been developed, but he urges anyone with information to step forward.

In addition to the $500 offered by the anonymous source, up to $1,000 is available through the CrimeStoppers program. Tipsters can call Whitefish Police at 863-2420 or 752-TIPS, and those who provide information can remain anonymous.