Montana: Intruder shot, killed by homeowner
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:35 pm
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Intruder shot, killed by homeowner had long criminal history
March 19, 2014 12:00 am • Missoulian (9) Comments
MISSOULA -- Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman has released the name of the man killed Monday morning during an apparent burglary of a private Victor area residence.
Hoffman said that 39-year-old Tobias Ian Bishop, of Missoula, who had a long criminal history, was shot by the homeowner after entering the residence through a window that he had broken.
Hoffman reported that the investigation to date shows that Bishop had apparently burglarized at least one other home in the vicinity prior to being shot, and that he had already gathered several chainsaws and other items near his van from outside of the second residence.
Hoffman said that all evidence to date points to the following facts:
Bishop drove several miles up a private road in a borrowed van, parked the van between two homes, and began moving items from the two homes to the van.
Hoffman believes the evidence shows that Bishop had been in the area for at least an hour prior to attempting to enter the occupied home where he was shot.
Hoffman said that the homeowner initially thought that snow was falling from his roof and hitting the ground, but got up to investigate as the noise continued.
As Bishop broke a window and entered the house, the homeowner encountered Bishop inside his home. Bishop’s actions then threatened the homeowner, placing him in fear of his life, resulting in the homeowner discharging his handgun at Bishop.
After being shot, Bishop exited the home through the same broken window, and fled a short distance into the yard, where he collapsed.
Hoffman said that records from Arizona, Idaho and Montana reveal that Bishop had a long history of illegal activity, including burglary, assault and drug-related arrests, was currently wanted on an arrest warrants in Arizona and Flathead County for theft and forgery, and had prior law enforcement alerts for violent tendencies and drug abuse.
Further, Hoffman said that the homeowner has no criminal history, and at this point in the investigation is classified as a victim in this matter.
Montana’s so-called “castle doctrine” law, approved in 2009 as House Bill 228, allows a person who is threatened with bodily injury or loss of life to use deadly force without the requirements that they first summon help or flee. Part 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 45 in the Montana Code Annotated describes when legal use of deadly force is justified.
Hoffman said that in this case he wants to clarify that the crime of burglary is not predicated on items being stolen, but is the act of entering an occupied structure – the home – with the intent of committing any other crime.