KALISPELL — Jonathan Shaw, accused of opening fire and killing a Fuel Fitness employee, was arraigned in Flathead County District Court on Thursday morning.
Shaw pleaded not guilty to one count of deliberate homicide and one count of attempted deliberate homicide.
The charges filed carry a maximum life term in the Montana State Prison.
Court documents say that law enforcement officers responded to Fuel Fitness on US Highway 2 West for a report of gunshots fired on September 16.
When officers arrived, they found Fuel Fitness employee Matthew Hurley lying unresponsive in the parking lot along with the defendant who officers saw had a firearm.
Prior to the shooting, Fuel Fitness employees told officers they went to talk with Shaw who had been living in the parking lot.
During the conversation, Hurley and Shaw discussed a refund of Shaw's gym membership.
When Hurley told Shaw he would receive a partial refund, Shaw stated "Well, you are going to die," and started shooting at Hurley.
A bystander who heard the shooting ran to his truck to get a pistol.
The bystander said Shaw fired two rounds toward him and he returned fire. The bystander was shot in the leg.
A jury trial is set for April 18.
(SEPTEMBER 16, 2021) Police responded to reports of gunshots fired at or near Fuel Fitness in Kalispell on Thursday.
According to Kalispell Police Chief Doug Overman, the initial call said that two men were shooting at each other at about 10:50 a.m.
Officers found three people at the scene with gunshot wounds; one of the people was dead.
The two surviving gunshot victims were taken to Logan Health.
There is no word at this point on the nature or severity of their injuries.
Police Chief Overman says a suspect has been accounted for and is no longer a threat to the public.
The names of the people involved have not been released at this point.
