One dead, two in custody after shooting
A 38-year-old Libby man was shot multiple times and killed Saturday, according to a statement from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Henry Carl Schroeder, 74, was arrested Sunday and charged with negligent homicide and tampering with evidence.
Schroeder admitted shooting Thomas Lawrence Veloz at about 10 p.m. the previous night in Schroeder’s home on Washington Avenue in Libby, according to police reports. At least two other people witnessed the shooting.
Donald Brittain, one of the witnesses, reported the shooting to Lincoln County dispatch at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, approximately 18 hours after the incident. Kimberlee Ann Patterson, who resides at the same address as the victim, was also present during the shooting.
Details on the incident are still sketchy as the investigation is ongoing. The reason for the shooting was not publicly disclosed. Libby Police Chief Jim Smith and Lincoln County Sheriff Roby Bowe refused to provide additional details.
Libby Police officer Darren Short was dispatched to the scene, where he met officer John Powell and sheriff’s deputy Brandon Huff. They contacted Schroeder by phone and asked him to exit the residence. Schroeder complied and was quickly secured in Powell’s patrol vehicle.
The law enforcement officers entered the residence and discovered a male’s body, later identified as Veloz, covered with a blanket. “There appeared to be a large pool of blood near the victim’s head, and a possible gunshot wound was apparent,” according to the affidavit of probable cause.
A subsequent search of the house, conducted after a warrant was issued by Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield, resulted in the discovery of a .380-caliber pistol and two shell casings, even though the victim had been shot at least five times, according to the affidavit.
Patterson was also arrested and charged with tampering with evidence. She was apprehended approximately nine miles south of Libby, after the car she was driving slid off the road in Bache’s Dip on U.S. Highway 2. She was also cited for driving with a suspended license.
If convicted, Patterson could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Schroeder could face the same penalty for the evidence tampering charge, in addition to up 20 years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine for the charge of negligent homicide.
Both defendants were arraigned before Sheffield on Monday. Bail for Schroeder was set at $500,000. Bail for Patterson was set at $50,000.
Preliminary hearings have been scheduled for both defendants in Lincoln County Justice Court. Schroeder is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 24. Patterson is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 25.