Man cleared in Trumble Creek fatal shooting

A Flathead Valley initially charged with deliberate homicide after a shooting at a Trumble Creek residence earlier this month has been released.

Leon Paul Kavis, 36, was released from the Flathead County Detention Center Sept. 14 after the County Attorney’s Office decided to not file charges.

“There were elements of self defense and justifiable use of force in this incident,” County Attorney Travis Ahner said. “One of the witnesses said the victim was armed with a gun when he entered the home.”

The man Kavis shot and killed was identified as Timothy Kuchinski.

Kuchinski faced burglary charges in Flathead County in 2006. He also had charges for criminal endangerment, forgery and theft on his record. According to the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole, Kuchinski was approved for parole in September 2017. In his parole determination, Kuchinski was ordered to continue regular chemical dependency counseling and a recovery plan.

The case began during the late afternoon hours of Sept. 10 when Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at a residence on Trumble Creek Road and found Kuchinski dead of a gunshot wound inside the home.

Ahner said Kavis was one of several people who called 911 after the shooting and his account of the incident matched that of other witnesses, according to Ahner.