MISSOULA – The Missoula County sheriff’s department plans an extensive ground search southwest of Missoula, where officers engaged in a shootout with convicted felon David Burgert just over a year ago.
Burgert is still wanted on a $500,000 warrant for attempted deliberate homicide for the June 12, 2011 shootout.
Burgert fled into the Lolo National Forest after the shootout. Officers searched for him for about two weeks.
The sheriff’s office believes it’s safe to return to the area along U.S. Highway 12 near Lolo with civilian volunteers to do a more extensive ground search for evidence. The new search began Wednesday.