Fugitive from North Carolina dies while fleeing Sheriff’s deputies

Authorities say they pulled the body of a North Carolina fugitive wanted on multiple felony charges from the Flathead River near the Blankenship Bridge earlier this month.  

Steven Jeffrey O'Shields, 35, of Franklin, North Carolina was sought on extraditable felony warrants for charges including sexual battery against a child, burglary, theft of services and police obstruction, according to the Flathead County Sheriff's Office. He also allegedly was a non-compliant sex offender. 

The charges all originated in North Carolina, officials said.  

The Sheriff's Office received a report of O'Shields staying in the Big Creek Campground in the North Fork area about 7 p.m., June 21, officials said. Deputies subsequently crossed paths with the 35-year-old as he walked south near mile marker 11 on North Fork Road.  

O'Shields allegedly fled into the woods after catching sight of law enforcement. During the ensuing foot pursuit, deputies saw O'Shields wading into the Flathead River and moving with the current, officials said.  

The last they saw of him, he was struggling to stay above water, authorities said. He disappeared around a bend just south of Glacier Rim.  

Authorities found O'Shields' body, submerged just above the Blankenship Bridge, with help from Two Bear Air about 9 p.m. Boat crews from North Valley Search and Rescue later recovered the body and turned it over to the Flathead County Coroner's Office.  

Officials took it to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for an autopsy and identification June 24.  

The pursuit and O'Sheilds’ death are under investigation by the state Department of Criminal Investigations at the request of the Sheriff's Office.