Crime
Female shooter neutralized following active shooter incident at Lewis and Clark County Courthouse in Helena
Helena, MT – Law enforcement swiftly responded to reports of an active shooter at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, according to Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton.
Authorities have confirmed that the female suspect has been neutralized, and there is no longer an active threat to public safety.
However, residents are urged to avoid the area as law enforcement remains on scene conducting their investigation.
The City of Helena issued the following statement regarding the incident:
“Law enforcement has responded to an incident at the County Courthouse. There is no longer an active threat to public safety, but residents are asked to avoid the area as there will be law enforcement activity for the foreseeable future.”
Officials have not yet released further details regarding the suspect, potential injuries, or the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Authorities are expected to provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
A 7-year-old girl was killed and her mother injured Tuesday night after gunfire was directed into their northwest Atlanta home in what police describe as a drive-by shooting.
The victim has been identified by the Fulton County Medical Examiner as Zoey Price, who had recently celebrated her seventh birthday in December.
Authorities confirmed she is the youngest homicide victim recorded in the City of Atlanta so far in 2026.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded shortly after 9:45 p.m. to reports of shots fired at a residence in the 2200 block of Tiger Flowers Drive NW, near the intersection of Joe Louis Drive NW.
During a late-night press conference, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated that the shooting appears to have stemmed from an earlier dispute between two individuals. Investigators believe the disagreement occurred approximately 30 minutes before the gunfire erupted.
Chief Schierbaum said the suspect returned to the area and opened fire into the home, where the child and her 44-year-old mother were inside at the time.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found both victims suffering from gunshot wounds. In an effort to save the child’s life, officers transported Zoey Price in the back of a patrol vehicle to a nearby hospital. Despite those efforts, she was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
Her mother was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released details regarding her current condition.
Chief Schierbaum stated that homicide detectives are actively pursuing leads and expressed confidence that investigators have identified the individual responsible.
“We are going to arrest the individual who took a 7-year-old child from this city through senseless gun violence,” Schierbaum said. “You know who you are. If you’re watching this broadcast, turn yourself in. Because we are going to be coming to your home with an arrest warrant and we will take you into custody.”
He further emphasized the department’s commitment to securing justice for the victim and the community.
“We are coming for you. We are going to put you in jail and we are going to bring justice for this community,” the chief added.
The fatal shooting has shaken residents in the northwest Atlanta neighborhood, particularly given the young age of the victim. Investigators continue working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the earlier dispute and the events that led to the gunfire.
No arrests have been announced as of this time. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Atlanta Police Department as the investigation remains ongoing.