In a remote area west of Melrose, Aric Lewis died from a gunshot wound around 6 p.m. on August 25, 2025. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being investigated.

Beaverhead County Sheriff David Wendt said the 18-year-old Butte man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Meagan Thompson reports - watch:

Two other people - ages 17 and 18 - were present at the time of the shooting and were taken back to Butte by a Montana Highway Patrol trooper.

Sheriff Wendt reports that a fire crew patrolling the Trapper Creek and Canyon Creek area came across the three individuals from Butte, noting that one person had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

Sheriff Wendt said that alcohol and marijuana were factors in the incident. He believes the teens may have acquired the marijuan

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