Johnny McKeever, 34, was shot and killed outside a home in Pablo, Montana in the pre-dawn hours of September 16, 2017. According to witness statements and law enforcement, McKeever had been drinking heavily and was upset about an affair between his wife Amy and 28-year-old Ryan Black. After being ejected from a bar earlier, McKeever went to Black’s residence around 4 a.m., pounded on the door and caused significant damage.

When Black came out armed with a .44 Magnum, McKeever — unarmed — struck him in the eye. Black says he fell backward and the gun discharged, the single bullet entering McKeever’s left jawbone and exiting behind his right ear. Amy McKeever attempted CPR but the wound was fatal; an autopsy found McKeever’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal driving limit.

Black was arrested the same day and initially charged with deliberate homicide. In November 2017 the county attorney dropped all charges, citing Montana’s castle doctrine and concluding self-defense could not be disproved beyond a reasonable doubt. The Lake County Sheriff disagreed, saying investigators found probable cause for negligent homicide and noting Black had described the shooting as accidental; the case could be reopened if new evidence appears.

Did anyone in Pablo or the wider area see McKeever that night or the damaged front door afterward?