Law enforcement agencies are investigating the shooting deaths of two men that happened on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Box Elder.
Hill County Sheriff Jamie Ross says that deputies responded to a reports of shots fired in the parking lot of D&L Bar at about 1:30 a.m. Deputies found two men had been shot at the gas pumps.
Both victims were taken to a medical facility in private vehicles. The ambulance met one of the vehicles in Laredo. The other vehicle was met by Tribal Police who rendered aid and transferred him to an ambulance.
The two men have been identified as Darin Bernard Caplette, 41 years old; and Thomas Roderick Yallup, 42. Both were residents of the Rocky Boy Reservation.
Sheriff Ross said, “The initial information indicates that this was a targeted assault directed at these two men and we don’t have any evidence currently that would indicate a risk to the public at large. Expect to see a large law enforcement presence in the Box Elder area for a considerable time. We have many crime scenes to process and witness to interview.”
There is no word at this point on whether anyone has been identified as a suspect.
- Mural will honor MT smokejumpers
- 2 men shot dead in Box Elder
- Charges dropped in Crites murder case
- America's best dive bar - in Montana?
The bodies will be sent to the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsy.
Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call 406-265-2512.
Deputies with the Chouteau County Sheriff's Office, along with officers from other agencies, have been assisting with the investigation.
The Montana Department of Transportation says that a section of US Highway 87 is blocked near Box Elder for a half-mile due to a " law enforcement incident in all lanes," and that drivers should expect delays in the area.
MTN News reporter Owen Skornik-Hayes is in Box Elder; we will update you as we get more information.
