Eureka, Montana Shooting, Deputy Ryan Terpsma and Woman Killed, 50-Year-Old Matthew Dye in Custody After Pursuit

A Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy and a 46-year-old woman were killed in a shooting in Eureka, Montana, on Friday night, October 30, 2026. A Eureka police officer was wounded, and a suspect fled with a 7-year-old girl before being stopped at a roadblock after a pursuit on U.S. Highway 93.

Authorities identified the suspect as Matthew David Dye, 50, of Kalispell. He is in custody, and prosecutors have said he will be charged. He is presumed innocent unless and until the State proves the charges in court.

The Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is leading the investigation at the request of Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short.

Eureka Shooting: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Date and time	Friday, October 30, 2026, about 8:23 p.m.
First location	118 Lone Pine Trail, Eureka, Lincoln County, Montana
Original call	Disturbance call
Deputy killed	Lincoln County Deputy Ryan Terpsma, 28
Second person killed	Merrisa Walker, 46, found at the original location
Wounded	A Eureka Police Department officer (non-life-threatening injuries)
Child	7-year-old girl taken in the suspect’s vehicle (see “What happened to the child?” below)
Suspect	Matthew David Dye, 50, of Kalispell
How the suspect was stopped	Pursuit south on U.S. Highway 93 by Flathead County deputies; stopped and surrendered at a roadblock
Alleged gunfire during pursuit	Authorities say Dye fired at deputies and disabled two patrol vehicles; deputies returned fire
Custody	Flathead County Detention Center
Charges	Deliberate homicide warrant reported pending; see roster entries below
Next court date	Initial hearing in Lincoln County Justice Court expected the week of November 2; the jail roster lists November 2, 2026
Lead investigator	Montana Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation

What Happened in Eureka, Montana? Timeline of the October 30 Shooting

About 8:23 p.m.: Deputy Ryan Terpsma and a Eureka police officer responded to a disturbance call at 118 Lone Pine Trail. Authorities say Terpsma was shot and killed and the officer was struck by gunfire. Investigators later found that Merrisa Walker, 46, had also been shot and killed at the property.

The flight: Dye allegedly left in a vehicle toward Kalispell with a 7-year-old girl. Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies located the vehicle and pursued it south on U.S. Highway 93.

The pursuit: Authorities say Dye fired at the pursuing deputies and disabled two patrol vehicles. Deputies returned fire. No deputy fatality was reported during the pursuit.

The surrender: Law enforcement set up a roadblock near the intersection of Bill Creek Road and Mountain Meadow Road. Dye stopped before reaching it and surrendered.

The public statements do not explain what caused the original disturbance, how Dye knew Walker or the child, or what happened right before the first shots.

Who Was Deputy Ryan Terpsma?

Ryan Terpsma, 28, joined the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in May 2026. From December 2024 until May 2026 he worked as a detention officer with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. He was killed while answering the disturbance call. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen publicly honored him on October 31, saying he “answered the call” and made the ultimate sacrifice. Sheriff Short and the department mourned his loss, and flags in the area were lowered to half-staff.

Who Was Merrisa Walker?

Merrisa Walker, 46, was the second person found killed at the original property. Her relationship to Dye, the child and the original disturbance has not been established in the public information reviewed.

What Happened to the Child in the Eureka Shooting?

Reports differ, and it is not clear whether they describe the same child. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office said the 7-year-old girl taken in the vehicle was unharmed. The Montana attorney general’s statement referred to a female juvenile who was injured, treated and released at the scene. Because the accounts differ, this article does not state the child’s condition as settled. Her identity should remain private.

Who Is the Wounded Eureka Police Officer?

The Eureka officer who accompanied Terpsma was struck by gunfire in the initial response. Authorities described the injuries as non-life-threatening. The officer’s name has not been released in the reporting reviewed.

What Is Matthew David Dye Charged With? What the Jail Roster Shows

Authorities say Dye will be charged in Terpsma’s death. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office detention roster, as reported by local media, listed these entries:

Roster entry	Montana law
Deliberate homicide (warrant pending)	Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-102
Attempt	Mont. Code Ann. § 45-4-103
Aggravated eluding a peace officer	Mont. Code Ann. § 61-8-316
Criminal endangerment	Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-207

KULR8 described the “attempt” entry as attempted homicide, but the roster abbreviates it. A roster is a booking record, not a filed charging document and not proof of guilt. The filed charging documents will show the exact counts. In Montana, felony cases generally begin with an initial appearance, often in justice court, and then move to District Court on a charging document filed by the prosecutor (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 46-7-101 and 46-11-201).

What Do the Montana Charges Mean?

Deliberate homicide: Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-102

Montana’s main intentional-killing offense is deliberate homicide. It covers purposely or knowingly causing another person’s death, and certain deaths that occur during specified serious felonies. A conviction carries a sentence of 10 to 100 years in state prison or life imprisonment. Montana law also keeps the death penalty available for deliberate homicide under Mont. Code Ann. §§ 46-18-301 through 46-18-310. Montana’s death-penalty statute lists the killing of a peace officer as an aggravating circumstance (Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-303). Prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek death or any particular sentence, and no one has been convicted.

Dangerous-weapon sentencing enhancement: Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-221

A person who uses a weapon in committing an offense can receive an additional prison term under § 46-18-221. Whether prosecutors will invoke it has not been announced.

Attempt: Mont. Code Ann. § 45-4-103

Montana’s attempt statute requires the purpose to commit a specific offense and an act toward committing it. An attempt charge can be punished up to the maximum for the offense attempted. The charging document will show which offense is alleged and its factual basis.

Aggravated eluding: Mont. Code Ann. § 61-8-316

This law covers a driver who knowingly fails to stop after an officer’s lawful signal. It becomes an aggravated offense in situations such as reckless driving during the flight, serious property damage or certain prior offenses. The reports that two patrol vehicles were disabled do not show which aggravating factor prosecutors rely on.

Criminal endangerment: Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-207

Criminal endangerment applies to knowingly engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another. It carries up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both. The alleged gunfire during the pursuit and the child’s presence in the vehicle may be relevant, but the actual basis must come from prosecution documents.

Offenses not shown on the roster

Montana also has a specific offense for assaulting a peace officer (Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-210), which is a felony. Because the Eureka officer was shot, it is relevant to the investigation, but it was not among the roster entries described, so it is not presented as a filed charge. Other offenses in Montana law, such as aggravated assault (§ 45-5-202), may also be considered depending on the evidence.

What Happens Next in the Dye Case?

Expect an initial appearance in Lincoln County Justice Court, where the judge advises the defendant of the charges and rights, addresses counsel and sets bail or conditions. The case would then proceed in the Montana Fifteenth Judicial District Court (Lincoln County) after formal charges are filed. Defendants in Montana have the right to counsel, and the State must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. Judges can also order a change of venue in a high-profile case, which can occur in cases like this.

What Help Is Available to the Families and Survivors?

Crime victim compensation. The Montana Crime Victim Compensation Program (Mont. Code Ann. § 53-9-101 et seq.) can help eligible victims and certain family members with unreimbursed costs such as funeral expenses, counseling and medical care. Contact the Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Victim Services for eligibility and deadlines.

Crime victim rights. Montana’s Crime Victim and Witness Rights law (Mont. Code Ann. § 46-24-101 et seq.) and Article II, § 28 of the Montana Constitution address notice of proceedings, being heard and restitution. A prosecutor’s victim-witness staff typically help families.

Line-of-duty benefits. The federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program (34 U.S.C. § 10281 et seq.) provides a one-time death benefit to eligible survivors of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. The amount adjusts annually, and benefit claims go through the U.S. Department of Justice. State and local line-of-duty benefits may also apply to Terpsma’s family and to the wounded officer.

Can the Families Sue Over the Eureka Shooting?

A criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit are separate. Survivors of a person killed by another’s wrongful act may have a civil claim under Montana’s wrongful-death and survival statutes (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 27-1-513 and 27-1-501), generally subject to a three-year limit for tort claims (Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204). A civil claim against Dye depends on evidence and on whether he has assets or insurance. A claim against a government body would involve different rules, including notice-of-claim requirements (Mont. Code Ann. § 2-9-301), and nothing reported so far suggests any such claim. No civil lawsuit, class action or settlement connected to this shooting has been identified as of November 1, 2026. Families should consult a Montana attorney about specific deadlines.

AllAboutLawyer explains the process in What Is A Wrongful Death Lawsuit? Everything Families Need To Know. For an example of litigation after a shooting, see Twin Peaks Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Fatal 2024 Huntsville Shooting of Ray’Shun Markelle Bates. For a case involving a police shooting settlement, see James Williams Canton Police Shooting, City Proposes $3.5 Million Settlement With Family. These cases are separate and do not involve the Eureka shooting.

What Is Still Unknown About the Eureka Shooting?

• What caused the original disturbance call.
• The relationship among Dye, Walker and the child.
• The exact charges and counts, which will appear in court filings.
• The wounded officer’s name and condition.
• The child’s condition, given the differing accounts.
• Whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty or any enhancement.
• The results of the DCI investigation, including any review of the officers’ and deputies’ use of force during the pursuit.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Eureka, Montana Shooting

Who was killed in the Eureka, Montana shooting?

Lincoln County Deputy Ryan Terpsma, 28, and Merrisa Walker, 46, were killed on October 30, 2026.

Who is the suspect in the Eureka shooting?

Authorities identified him as Matthew David Dye, 50, of Kalispell. He is presumed innocent.

Where did the shooting happen?

At 118 Lone Pine Trail in Eureka, Lincoln County, Montana. The pursuit then went south on U.S. Highway 93 toward Kalispell.

How did the pursuit end?

Dye stopped and surrendered at a roadblock near Bill Creek Road and Mountain Meadow Road. Authorities say he fired at deputies during the chase and disabled two patrol vehicles.

Was a child involved in the Eureka shooting?

Yes. A 7-year-old girl was in the vehicle when Dye fled. Flathead County said she was unharmed, while the attorney general’s statement referred to an injured juvenile who was treated and released. Her identity should remain private.

What is Matthew Dye charged with?

Authorities say he will be charged in Terpsma’s death. The jail roster listed deliberate homicide (warrant pending), attempt, aggravated eluding and criminal endangerment. The filed charging documents will confirm the counts.

What is deliberate homicide in Montana?

It is Montana’s main intentional homicide offense (Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-102), punishable by 10 to 100 years, life imprisonment or, in the case of certain aggravating factors, death.

Can Montana seek the death penalty in this case?

Montana law keeps the death penalty available for deliberate homicide and lists the killing of a peace officer as an aggravating factor. Prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek it.

When is Matthew Dye’s next court date?

An initial hearing in Lincoln County Justice Court is expected the week of November 2, and the jail roster lists November 2, 2026.

Who is investigating the Eureka shooting?

The Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation, at the request of Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short.

Is there financial help for the victims’ families?

Possibly. The Montana Crime Victim Compensation Program may help eligible victims and survivors, and federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits may be available to a fallen officer’s family.

Is there a lawsuit or settlement over the Eureka shooting?

None had been identified as of November 1, 2026.

Sources and Legal References

Official statements and news reporting

1. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office statements via Sheriff Darren Short, October 30 to 31, 2026
2. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen statement, October 31, 2026, via NBC Montana
3. Police1, Mont. Deputy, 28, Shot and Killed While Responding to Disturbance Call
4. KPAX, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Killed in Friday Night Shooting
5. Missoula Current, Eureka Gunfire Leaves Woman, Officer Dead; Second Officer Wounded
6. Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell Man in Custody After Deputy, Woman Killed in Eureka Shooting
7. KULR8, Friday-Night Eureka Shooting Leaves 2 Injured, 2 Dead Including a Deputy

Montana and federal law

8. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 45-4-103, 45-5-102, 45-5-202, 45-5-207, 45-5-210, 46-7-101, 46-11-201, 46-18-221, 46-18-301 through 46-18-310, 61-8-316
9. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 27-1-501, 27-1-513, 27-2-204, 2-9-301, 46-24-101 et seq., 53-9-101 et seq.; Mont. Const. art. II, § 28
10. 34 U.S.C. § 10281 et seq. (Public Safety Officers’ Benefits)

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The investigation is ongoing and the facts reported here may change. Matthew David Dye is presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves the charges in court.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Department of Justice statements as reported by Montana news outlets, and the Montana Code Annotated, as of November 1, 2026. Last Updated: November 1, 2026.