One man dead in Frazey Loop incident

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

According to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a report of a gunshot and screaming at about 8:22 p.m.

After county deputies and members of Libby Volunteer Ambulance responded to the scene at a camper trailer, a man was found with severe bleeding. Medical aid was given to him before he was taken to the Cabinet Peaks Medical Center by ambulance. The man was later 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 officials were 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 both men 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.

All individuals involved were detained and transported to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The scene was secured by deputies. 

County 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.

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