Sheriff’s Office Responds to Fatal Shooting in Missoula

UPDATE-- 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 5

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that after deputies arrived at the scene of the fatal shooting that 22 year-old Colton Merritt surrendered to authorities without incident.

The victim has been identified as 57 year-old Daniel Merritt of Missoula.

Colton Merritt is being held in the Missoula County Jail without bond.

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Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Jeannette Smith reported on the department’s Facebook page that there was a fatal shooting in a Missoula neighborhood on Monday evening.

Smith reported that the fatal shooting occurred at a residence on Bailey Street. She said there was no danger to the public, and that Sheriff’s Office Detectives were on the scene conducting the investigation.

No names have been released, and it was not reported that a suspect or suspects were in custody. At this time it is not known if the victim was male or female.

Smith said the investigation into the fatal shooting is continuing.