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MISSOULA – The Missoula County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday afternoon that one of the victims was injured in a series of shootings on Thursday night and Friday.
According to the sheriff's office, the man, identified as Shelley Hays, died as a result of his injuries. Two others, Julie and Casey Blanchard, were injured in the attack.
The suspect, Johnathan Bertsch, faces a count of homicide and three other counts of attempted homicide, all crimes combined, in the shooting.
Related: Montana Traffic Patrol Soldier Airlifted to Salt Lake City
The Missoula police received the initial call shortly before 11 pm. On Thursday, reports of firearms shooting with three people shot dead near Stone Creek Lodge at Expressway in Missoula.
The suspect, Bertsch, fled and headed many agencies during a seven hour manhunt along US Highway 93 North.
Early Friday morning, near Bar Evaro and Montana Road Patrol Soldier, Wade Palmer, found a suspicious vehicle matching the description of the person involved in a Missoula shoot before midnight.
Missoula units set up a perimeter and warned residents in the area to lock their doors and put a suspect on the run.
Moments later, a second shot was reported near the Bar and Casino Evaro, where Palmer had found a vehicle matching the description.
Palmer was ambushed and shot in his patrol car. Private Alex Hiday, who was the next officer to arrive at the scene, found Palmer still wearing a seatbelt in his vehicle.
The suspect again fled, and after a large manhunt around 6:15 pm, Sheriff's deputies arrested Bertsch without incident.
Palmer was immediately rushed to St. Patrick's Hospital where he was classified in critical condition. It has since been flown to Salt Lake City, according to the MHP.
MHP announced Friday afternoon that a GoFundMe page had been created for Palmer and his family. You can click here to donate.
A @gofundme An account was opened for Private Palmer and his family. This fund was created by some of his colleagues. Please visit: https://t.co/khMtLUfaTq Thank you.
– Montana Road Patrol (@MTHwyPatrol) March 15, 2019
Additional fundraising pages have been created for other victims of the attacks. A was created for Casey Blanchard, who was injured in the shooting.
Another GoFundMe page was also created for Hays, who died as a result of the shooting.
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