Officials release names in homicide, fatal shooting

The names of those involved in Tuesday’s homicide and subsequent fatal shooting of the suspect have been released.

According to information from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call at about 11:39 a.m. Tuesday for a report of an assault victim with a gunshot wound at 135 Cobbler Village west of Kalispell.

When deputies and medics arrived they found 62-year-old Maxine L. Heil dead of a gunshot wound.

Deputies then received information about the homicide suspect, Richard L. Mason, 59, and the vehicle he was driving. At about 2:12 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Vander Ark saw the vehicle at the intersection of Montana 82 and Hanging Rock Drive and attempted to stop it.

The vehicle failed to stop and led deputies and Montana Highway Patrol troopers on a chase before it ended on Montana 35 south of Woods Bay in Lake County, when Lake County Sheriff’s deputies used spike strips to end the chase.

According to the Flathead County authorities, Mason fired at Vander Ark, who returned fire along with Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Jerry Ren.

Mason died at the scene.

Vander Ark, who was placed on paid administrative leave, has been a deputy for more than seven years. Trooper Ren has been with MHP since 2000.

The Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Endangerment is handling the officer-involved shooting investigation.

Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino said Mason was a tenant of Heil’s, but a motive for the shooting is still not known.

Heino said the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office is handling the death investigation of Mason. The Lake County Attorney’s Office will perform a coroner’s inquest and Flathead County will conduct an in-house investigation after the other inquiries are complete.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.