The Circle Banner - Anyone can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the pairie

When I show up to work at 11:30 for my twelve hour (midnight until noon) shift on Nove 3rd , during briefing was informed that there is an active shooter in Dawson County. My Co-worker Dharlyne went on to explain that all she really knew was what was broadcast on the local news out of Billings. They had mentioned up to 4 people injured and the status of those injuries was unknown. Our Sheriff, Paul Skyberg and Deputy Sheriff Trevor Derksen were on scene. It was radio silence -normally we status check our "guys" every half hour to ensure their safety and location. In this situation we remained quiet. All I kept thinking is how the wives and family of our brave law enforcement personnel must be feeling, as I, myself was extremely concerned for their safety. Many local agencies assisted, including Roosevelt, Yellowstone, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana State Troopers. The shooting lock down lasted until daybreak when SWAT out of Billings arrived to clear the scene ours-long lockdown across Glendive Thursday has been identified. County Sheriff Ross Canen provided an update on the incident Saturday and confirmed the person who was arrested Friday was TJ Nikalus Murray, 29, in a press release. The real situation was as follows, taken from the AP wire: Around 3 p.m. Nov. 3, Murray fought with another man that led to gunshots being fired along Marsh Road south of Glendive. The incident left the man with minor injuries. Law enforcement worked to apprehend him; a shelter-in-place order was put in place for residents within a 10-mile radius. This included Dawson Community College and Glendive Public School to briefly lockdown. At around 8:15 a.m. the next day, Murray surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody. I was relieved to hear Sheriff Paul radio 10-98 (clear of scene), himself and Deputy Derksen that morning. All I kept thinking that night is this doesn't happen in our small communities. I was somewhat glad to hear the shooter was not from around our area. I have found rural people who have taken hunter education and hunting, respect the gun and the power it holds. Or I should say the power is in the finger not the gun. I am for am one glad no one was seriously injured or killed. Thanks, and prayers go out to our Selfless law enforcement officers. Thank you to all Counties around that assisted in this situation.