MISSOULA – Law enforcement in Missoula have arrested two suspects in connection with a Friday morning double murder, including the man who has been on the run since the incident.
Missoula County Sheriff T.J. McDermott said Jonathan Whitworth was arrested at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Sunday without incident near the Missoula International Airport.
Sheriff McDermott stated Whitworth was reported being seen riding a bike in the area.
Whitworth, 27, has been on the run since early Friday after two people were found shot to death at a Missoula hotel.
He had been previously been reported in the Lolo and Stevensville areas. The Missoula Police Department had issued an arrest warrant for him on a deliberate homicide charge on Saturday.
A second suspect, Preston Rossbach, 18, was taken into custody around 5 p.m. Friday, according to the Missoula County Inmate Roster.
The incident began as a call of a “disturbance” at the Mountain Valley Inn on the 400 block of West Broadway around 1 a.m. on Friday morning.
Police arrived to find three victims with gunshot wounds and one man and one woman already dead. The other wounded man was transported to the hospital. His current condition is unknown.
Missoula Police Lieutenant Ed McLean told MTN News Rossbach was interviewed by detectives and then arrested in connection with the murders.
Anyone with information concerning the incident is asked to contact Det. Mark Blood at (406) 552-6281.
We will update you with any new information.
-Reported by Mark Thorsell/MTN News
(October 20, 2018) –
Authorities have issued an arrest warrant in connection with Friday morning’s double murder at a Missoula hotel.
The Missoula Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for Jonathon Whitworth, 27, on a deliberate homicide charge. Whitworth has initially been described as a person of interest in connection with the deaths.
Three people were shot — and two died — at a Missoula motel in the 400 block of West Broadway shortly after 1 a.m. on Friday.
Missoula Police Lt. Ed McLean added that Preston Rossbach, 18, was arrested and is being held due to his involvement in this case.
Whitworth is still at large and was last confirmed to be in the Lolo area on foot. He has also been reported to be in the Stevensville area, according to Lt. McClean.
Whitworth is a Native-American male who is 5’11″ and weighs 185 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with knowledge of his current whereabouts is encouraged to call 9-1-1. Anyone with other information is asked to contact Det. Mark Blood at (406) 552-6281.
Police say that Whitworth may be armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
