Sheriff's authorities investigating death of toddler
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UPDATE Friday, Oct. 24:
Based on facts and evidence gathered during the Lake County Sheriff’s Office investigation, the Lake County Attorney’s Office will be charging 26-year-old Galen Hawk with negligent homicide in the accidental shooting death of the 3-year-old male minor from the Ninepipe area. Hawk is not related to the victim, but was a resident in the house where the shooting occurred.
Hawk was arraigned in Lake County Justice Court Friday afternoon and is being held on $100,000 bail.
Deputy District Attorney James Lapotka requested to keep bail at $100,000 because Hawk "chose to consume alcohol and take a handgun ... and point it at a child."
Hawk is expected to appear in District Court sometime next week.
The State Medical Examiner from the crime lab in Missoula concluded that the victim died from a single gunshot wound to the torso. The firearm was a small caliber handgun.
According to District Court documents, Hawk also had a warrant for his arrest for a charge of felony DUI, fourth or subsequent offense. He was stopped by a St. Ignatius police officer on Dec. 29, 2012. The officer noted signs of intoxication and when taken to Lake County Jail, Hawk's breath test read .162. He did not show up for his arraignment on Feb. 27, 2013, and a warrant for his arrest was issued March 4, 2013.
NINEPIPE — Lake County Sheriff's deputies are investigating the shooting death of a 3-year-old child.
According to Lake County Undersheriff Dan Yonkin a 911 call came it at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Oct. 22, stating that an individual was transporting the child in a private vehicle from a residence east of Ninepipe to St. Luke Medical Center for a gunshot wound.
The child was treated at the hospital but died shortly after arriving.
One man has been detained for questioning in the case, but no charges have yet been filed. The investigation is ongoing.
"It is believed that the child was shot with a handgun," Yonkin said.
