fbpx

Inquest: Officers Acted Appropriately in Standoff

By Beacon Staff

POLSON – A coroner’s jury found that law enforcement officers acted appropriately in responding to a domestic disturbance in Arlee that ended in a murder-suicide.

Authorities were called to a camper-trailer in Arlee on Oct. 25, 2008 after family members of 48-year-old Janeal Morris requested a welfare check because they believed 36-year-old Dusty Reed was going to harm her.

Flathead Tribal Police Officer Ed Dumont and Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Duryee were among the first officers to arrive. The jury was told Monday that Reed fired a shot from a high-powered rifle that struck Dumont’s badge. Dumont also was wearing a protective vest and was not seriously injured.

Lake County Deputy Attorney Mark Russell says it was determined that Reed shot and killed Morris about the time officers arrived. Nearly 10 hours later, Reed turned the gun on himself.