County attorney reviewing Snow Slip shooting

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

The Flathead County Attorney’s office is still examining evidence in the case of a shooting at the Snow Slip Motel earlier this year.

On April 16 at approximately 10:57 p.m, deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of person being shot at the motel, which is on Highway 2 east of Essex.

Joseph Pino, 40, allegedly shot and killed Jeremy McKenzie, 36. Pino was released and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office recently handed the case file over to the Flathead County Attorney’s office for review on whether or not to press charges.

“The matter hasn’t been finalized,” county attorney Travis Ahner said Monday.

Ahner said his office will examine the evidence and make a determination on whether to press charges in the coming weeks.

The motel itself, which was a bar and restaurant for years, has been torn down since the incident by new owners of the property.