The community of Stillwater County, Montana, was left reeling following a violent tragedy that unfolded on December 8, 2025, claiming the lives of a beloved mother and daughter. Justine Lynn Dawson, a female resident of the area, and her 21-year-old daughter, Nila Lynn Dawson, were fatally shot at their family home near Nye and Absarokee. The incident, which law enforcement described as a chaotic and targeted attack, also resulted in severe injuries to Justine's husband, Greg Dawson, and a
family friend, leaving the tight-knit rural community in mourning.
Investigative reports and court documents revealed a disturbing sequence of events leading up to the double homicide. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Tyler Allen Turney, had recently traveled from Texas to Montana to visit Nila, with whom he had an on-and-off dating relationship. Witnesses stated that days prior to the shooting, Turney had become increasingly aggressive and was accused of sexually assaulting Nila, though she had declined to report the incident to authorities at the time. As Turney's behavior escalated into relentless calls and texts, Nila and two friends attempted to evade him by driving to her parents' residence, hoping to find safety.
Upon their arrival at the Dawson home, they discovered Turney's vehicle already waiting for them. The situation turned deadly almost immediately as Turney allegedly opened fire on the group. Nila was shot and declared dead at the scene, while Matthew Osgood, a friend accompanying her, sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. Justine was also struck by gunfire and, despite being transported to a hospital in Billings, later succumbed to her injuries. Her husband Greg was shot in the back as he attempted to retreat into the house and was hospitalized in critical condition.
Following the shooting, Turney fled the scene at a high speed, eventually losing control of his truck and crashing down an embankment into the Stillwater River. He survived the wreck with a broken leg and was subsequently arrested by law enforcement officers. Turney was transported to a medical facility for treatment before being booked into the Yellowstone County detention facility. He faces multiple charges, including homicide, as prosecutors move forward with the case against him for the attack that devastated the Dawson family. Justine is remembered by locals as a dedicated school board member and community leader, while Nila was known as a kind-hearted 2022 high school graduate active in local sports and agricultural groups.
