Anthony A. Williams, a 19-year-old man from Eureka, Montana, is remembered by his family for his "sweet smile and caring personality." His life was cut short in an act of violence where, according to his loved ones, he was trying to protect someone else. His aunt, who described him as a beloved nephew, said his caring nature will forever be in the minds and hearts of his family and friends.
The tragedy unfolded in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at a party outside
the PJ's Rentals apartment complex in the 100 block of Seventh Avenue East North in Kalispell. According to court documents and witness statements, there had been escalating tension throughout the night between 21-year-old Kaleb Anthony Hilliard and his girlfriend, involving suspicions of infidelity and a possible breakup. Hilliard left the party but returned in his vehicle shortly after 1:13 a.m.
When Hilliard arrived back at the complex, Anthony Williams and another man approached the driver's side window of his car in the parking lot. At that point, Hilliard allegedly produced a firearm and shot both men, as well as another resident of the apartment complex, a woman who was standing nearby. As Hilliard accelerated to flee the scene, his girlfriend, who was near the back of the car, was dragged along the pavement, suffering road rash and head injuries. Surveillance video reportedly showed one of the wounded men returning fire at Hilliard's fleeing vehicle.
Kalispell Police Department officers responded to reports of a disturbance with a weapon at about 1:15 a.m. They arrived to find multiple people had been shot. Despite life-saving efforts by the officers, Anthony Williams died at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. A second male victim sustained gunshot wounds to his abdomen and elbow, and a female victim was treated for a gunshot wound to her right shoulder. Anthony’s body was later transported to the Montana State Crime Lab for a forensic autopsy.
The investigation was handled by the Kalispell Police Department. Following the shooting, officers located Kaleb Anthony Hilliard at his residence in Kalispell, where he was in bed. His mother told police her son had said the shooting was related to his girlfriend’s infidelity. Hilliard was arrested and taken into custody. During an interview with investigators, he admitted to firing his weapon at the people standing by his car window, claiming they were threatening him and that he feared for his life.
Hilliard was charged with deliberate homicide for the death of Anthony Williams, two counts of attempted deliberate homicide for the other victims he shot, and one count of criminal endangerment. On October 22, 2026, he entered a plea of not guilty to all charges before Flathead County District Court Judge Heidi Ulbricht. His bond was set at $1 million, and he was booked into the Flathead County Detention Center.
In the wake of the shooting, Anthony's aunt organized a GoFundMe campaign to help his parents, Natasha and Stephen Williams, with cremation costs. The fundraiser, titled "Honoring Anthony's Life and Smile," sought to help the family navigate the tragic and unexpected loss. As of late October 2026, the criminal case against Kaleb Hilliard is proceeding through the justice system. His trial was scheduled to begin on February 22, 2027.
