Murder-suicide suspected in St. Regis shooting

Two people are dead after a shooting incident Saturday evening near St. Regis.

According to Mineral County Sheriff Mike Toth, the call came in Saturday evening to the Mineral County 911 Dispatch Center.

When Mineral County deputies responded to the scene they found one man and one child dead. Another family member was transported to the hospital. Officials say it appears to be a murder-suicide.

Toth said 37-year-old Anthony Dascher was the shooter and his 7-year-old son is dead.

Missoula County law officers and the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation arrived and assisted with security and coroner duties.

Toth said the first responders worked exceptionally well together as a team effort to include deputies, ambulance, EMTs and the Quick Response Unit from the West End.

St. Regis Schools will have numerous counselors available during the school day Monday to visit with any student, parent or community member who needs to process and grief the tragedy that unfolded in our community Saturday afternoon.

Staff members will be allowing any student who needs time to process the events to visit with a counselor.

"I ask that any parents or community members who need to visit with a counselor to discuss how to address the tragedy with their children to check in with the front office," St. Regis superintendent Joe Steele said. "As much as possible, classrooms will run normally as we know that a familiar routine can provide a sense of safety and comfort to many of our students. Counselors will be on hand in the impacted classrooms to provide support to students and staff as needed.

"St. Regis is a small community and tragedies like this touch each of us personally. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this very difficult time."