One dead after violent weekend incident south of Libby

One man is dead after a violent incident Friday night on Frazey Loop, south of Libby.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a report of a gunshot and screaming at about 8:22 p.m., Nov. 22. Arriving deputies and members of the Libby Volunteer Ambulance Service found a man suffering from severe bleeding at a camper trailer. 

Medical aid was given to him before he was taken to the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center by ambulance. The man was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Sheriff Darren Short told The Western News the dead man was a 56-year-old Libby resident. His body was taken to the Montana Medical Examiner's Office at the state crime lab in Missoula for an autopsy.

Short said the dead man's injuries appear to be the result of a stabbing but he was waiting on the autopsy results for confirmation. He also said the gunshot occurred outside the camper and appeared to be part of a warning in an attempt to get someone to leave.

Short said the men involved knew each other and were known to law enforcement, too. He added that the disturbance may be alcohol related.

"We'll know more after the autopsy is complete," Short said.

Short said he would release more information at a later date.

Authorities detained and transported the individuals involved to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies secured the scene.

Detectives interviewed the witnesses, suspects and processed the scene. Based on statements from the victim, witnesses and evidence from the scene, the initial investigation indicates that the injuries inflicted upon the dead man were in self-defense, authorities said.

Notifications were made by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. No charges have been filed at this time. The investigation is ongoing.