Shooting leaves brother hospitalized

A Libby man allegedly shot his brother early Christmas morning in an altercation over a bottle of rum.

Austin Zugg, 32, was listed in stable condition at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital after he was shot in the abdomen allegedly by his 35-year-old brother, Kolby Zugg.

Kolby suffered minor injuries after the incident and was briefly hospitalized. 

Kolby allegedly shot Austin at 1 a.m. Christmas morning at their parents’ home, six miles south of Libby at the old Branding Iron bar.

Alcohol was a major factor in the shooting, said Jim Sweet of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Police believe the brothers got into a physical altercation, causing Kolby to dial 911 at 12:57 a.m. asking for help.

Kolby’s 20-year-old girlfriend dialed 911 three minutes later, when police believe Kolby shot Austin with a 40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun. Three shots were fired, according to police – one in the ceiling and two in Austin’s direction.

Sweet said the gunshot struck Austin’s intestines and exited through his back. Snowy conditions prohibited him from being transported to a Spokane, Wash. hospital.

Austin and Kolby’s parents and Austin’s girlfriend were in the house at the time of the shooting.

Kolby is being held for attempted deliberate homicide and criminal endangerment.

In 2003, police said Kolby was charged for stalking and intimidating a man by pointing a pistol at his stomach. Felony assault charges were dropped, but he received a sentence for stalking.