Two More Murders Highlight Montana News This Week

A double-shooting in Columbia Falls leaves one person dead and another injured, as investigators continue work this morning trying to sort out the details of the deadly confrontation.

Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies and Columbia Falls Police rushed to the 200 block of Dawn Drive just after 7 am Monday, following reports of an assault involving a weapon.

Investigators say two individuals exchanged gunfire, and both were hit. One person was pronounced dead at the scene; the second was treated by emergency medical personnel.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of the family. Detectives and the Crime Scene Team spent the day processing evidence and interviewing witnesses.

96-year-old woman becomes murder victim

A Great Falls man is facing multiple felony charges following the horrific death of his 96-year-old grandmother.

According to a report from The Electric, 41-year-old Christopher Jenkins appeared in court Monday, charged with deliberate homicide, strangulation, and tampering with evidence.

Court documents reveal a gruesome scene on 12th Street NW, where officers found Lorraine Jenkins dead on May 8th. Investigators say Christopher Jenkins admitted to the killing, claiming he suffered a psychotic break and no longer recognized his grandmother.

The Electric reports that Jenkins had stopped taking anti-psychotic medication in 2020. During his initial appearance, a judge maintained his bond at $750,000.

      Prosecutors may still amend the charges pending the results of an autopsy.

Complicated weather rest of the week

We're entering a tricky stretch of weather here in the Treasure State, especially given the dry winter and the fires we've already seen in parts of the state.

National Weather Service meteorologists in Great Falls are warning of an elevated fire risk across Northern and Central Montana through Wednesday, with temperatures reaching the mid-80s. Winds could gust up to 60 miles per hour along the Front.

Lightning is also in the mix on both sides of the Divide. High wind watches and warnings are up for many areas. The main threat of the severe thunderstorms extends from the Beaverhead, Madison, and Big Hole valleys, north through the Butte-Blackfoot region, and into the Great Falls region. Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley will be on the western edge of that storm corridor, but could still see winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with higher gusts if those thunderstorms develop.

Flooding still not a risk

Even with temperatures spiking today across the state, that probably won't be enough to kick off flooding, as Montana continues to come off a wet, but very mild year.

National Weather Service Hydrologist LeeAnn Allegretto says that while elevations above 6-thousand feet are coming out of the "water year" with higher, and even above normal snowpack in some locations, lower elevations have already melted out.

She says that means a less than 10% chance the major rivers will see flooding.

"It's just not enough there," Allegretto explains. "You know, we just don't have enough mid-elevation snow to really contribute to a lot of high stream flows and high river levels this spring. Although if the right conditions line up, we could see maybe some localized flooding."

     🌊 That doesn't mean rivers and streams aren't running fast and cold right now, and NWS forecasters are warning people to steer clear of trying to cool off during this hot spell.