Widow plans to sue gunman

The wife of shooting victim Dan Fredenberg said Wednesday she will pursue a civil case against Brice Harper for killing her husband.

Heather Fredenberg said she intends to take the case as far as she can to hold Harper accountable for the Sept. 22 shooting death of her husband. She also wants to convince state legislators to revise the self-defense laws that led to Harper not being charged with a crime.

“We will be talking to an attorney later this week, beginning of next week, to find out exactly what all of our rights are, because they’ve definitely made Dan and I look like criminals,” Fredenberg said Wednesday afternoon.

Fredenberg criticized Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan, claiming that when he used her statements in making his decision and presenting it to the public, he only used pieces and the context was lost. 

She further alleged that Corrigan did so to make himself and his decision not to charge Harper look better.

“Ed Corrigan is pretty much being Brice’s defense attorney,” Fredenberg said, questioning whether Corrigan had any ulterior motive for taking Harper’s side.

In addition to the planned lawsuit, Fredenberg obtained a restraining order against Harper to protect herself and her children. The order, which initially was filed in Kalispell Municipal Court several days after the shooting, was transferred Tuesday to Flathead District Court. 

In her request for the order, she explained why she and her family needed protection.

“I fear for my children and my safety/life because of previous threats made prior to him [Harper] murdering my husband,” Fredenberg wrote. “He has made the comment numerous times that he has guns and is not afraid to use them.”

Fredenberg also requested Harper no longer be allowed to possess any firearms and that he undergo violence counseling.

The restraining order was set to remain in effect pending a hearing in Flathead District Court this morning.

When asked Wednesday whether she ever felt in danger when she was with Harper prior to the shooting, she said she never took his threats too seriously.

“When someone tells you that they have a gun, you don’t take him seriously,” Fredenberg said. “I never took him seriously until he [shot Dan] and that scares me. What if he’s saying that about me to other people? I’m scared, I’m really scared for my kids and my life.”

Fredenberg also had harsh words for those members of the public who have surmised that she was involved in setting up the confrontation between Harper and her husband.

“That’s the last thing I would ever want — my husband and my sons’ dad to be gone. That’s the last thing I want,” she said. “I wish he was here, I wish it every day. I miss him so much.”

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.