UPDATE - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 18

Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman has released the name of the man killed Monday morning during an apparent burglary of a Victor area home as Tobias Ian Bishop, 39, of Missoula.

Bishop was shot by the homeowner after entering the residence through a window that he had broken.

Hoffman reported that his 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 outside the second residence.

Hoffman said records from Arizona, Idaho and Montana revealed that Bishop had a long history of illegal activity, including burglary, assault and drug-related arrests. He was wanted on several warrants in Arizona and Montana.

Hoffman said the homeowner has no criminal history, and at this point in the investigation is classified as a victim in the incident.

A Missoula man was shot to death early Monday morning while apparently burglarizing a home northwest of Corvallis.

Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman said the resident, who was alone in his home, was awakened by noises just before 4:00 a.m.

"When the homeowner went to investigate, he found the suspect climbing through a window he had just broken to get into the home," Hoffman said. "When the resident ordered the man not to move, the suspect turned towards him. The resident, who was armed with a handgun, shot the intruder as he jumped back through the open window and ran away from the home."

Hoffman said the intruder was found dead not far away.

"When Ravalli County deputies got there, they searched the area and found the intruder lying on the ground, a short distance from the home," Hoffman said. "Emergency Medical Services had been staged to the area, and were able to respond immediately, however, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene."

Hoffman said the dead man's name has not yet been released, pending notification of his next of kin, but did confirm that he was an adult male from Missoula.

Hoffman said the investigation is underway, and it was too soon to determine whether the homeowner would face any potential charges in the intruder's death.

Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman

 

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