NewsMontana and Regional News

Actions

Montana woman recounts run-in with at-large shooting suspect

krtv00002.png
Posted
and last updated

The search continues for Willie Joe Richardson, accused of shooting a man on Sunday in Saltese near Mangold's Motel and General Store.

Residents chased Richardson as he drove through town.

"The cook, he said that all he's seen was when he was getting off the exit is them flagging him down, they were covered in blood," said Tia Downing, a waitress at the Montana Bar.

Downing and her husband were getting off work in Saltese on Sunday night. "We were slammed. It's Sunday night football," she said.

Suspect in Mineral County shooting
Picture of suspect Willie Joe Richardson

Then, they pulled up next to their coworker, a cook, who had just been in a car accident.

Downing detailed, "All of a sudden this black car comes barreling behind us on this road right here, comes around the corner, tries to force us off the road."

The driver of that car was Richardson, who the Mineral County Sheriff confirms shot and injured a man and rammed into a vehicle.

Downing's husband chased Richardson's vehicle down the road and they prevented him from getting on the interstate.



However, as of Monday evening, he hasn't been found.

"I can't imagine after last night and him seeing like how many people chased after him, him coming back here, to be honest with you," Downing stated.

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office said the man who was shot is in stable condition as of Monday afternoon.



(UPDATE: 9:38 a.m. - Monday) The search is continuing for a man wanted in connection with a Sunday shooting in the Saltese area.

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office reports as of Monday morning, Willie Joe Richardson had not yet been apprehended.

"We continue to work with local, state and federal resources to locate Mr. Richardson," a social media post states.

Residents are asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity by calling 911 immediately.

The Mineral County Sheriff's office said the man who was shot is in stable condition as of Monday afternoon.



The Sheriff's Office cautions that people should not approach Richardson.

Mineral County Sheriff's Office


(UPDATE, 9:37 a.m. Monday) The Shoshone County (Idaho) Sheriff's Office has been assisting Mineral County law enforcement in the search for a man who is a suspect in a Sunday shooting in the Saltese area.

Due to the proximity to the state line, the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office is asking people to be on the lookout for at the suspect who has been identified as Willie Joe Richardson.

Richardson's whereabouts were still unknown as of early Monday according to a social media post.


(UPDATE 8:30 p.m. Sunday) The Mineral County Sheriff's Office reports that Kia Forte has been found, but the suspect remains at large.

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office is asking residents in the area to keep their doors locked while the search continues for Willie Joe Richardson. He was last seen wearing black jogging pants and is now believed to be on foot.

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office asks that people avoid the Mangold’s area in Saltese and Silver Creek Road while the scenes are processed by law enforcement.

Anyone who sees Richardson should not approach him and instead call 9-1-1.


(1st REPORT, Sunday) A reported shooting is being investigated in the Saltese area.

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office is searching for a suspect who fled the scene in a 2023 Black Kia Forte. The vehicle may have a Washington license plate of CQW2610.

The suspect is believed to be an African American male wearing black jogging pants. Anyone who sees the suspect should immediately contact 9-1-1.

Area residents are advised to stay inside and lock their doors.

We will have additional information as it becomes available.