Big Arm woman, son killed in apparent murder/suicide

Lake County deputies responded to a residence in the Big Arm area early Wednesday morning following a report of a possible homicide/suicide.

Lake County 911 received the initial report at 4:24 a.m.

Deputies responded and determined that a woman had been shot and killed, and another in the home had been shot, but was still showing signs of life. The individual was taken by ambulance to an area hospital but died thereafter.

Also in the home was a dog that had been shot and killed.

Lake County Sheriff Don Bell on Thursday identified the deceased as Florence Brown, 79, and her son, Kirk Brown, 48. The individuals shared the residence where the incident took place.

“Further investigation is taking place, but at this time it is evident that Kirk Brown shot and killed both his mother and her dog, and then himself,” Bell said in a press release.

Additional investigation is being done by the Lake County Sheriff and Coroner’s office in conjunction with the State Medical Examiner in Missoula, where the bodies have been taken for autopsy.