In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 17, 2021, the life of 21-year-old Dyllan J. Murray, a White male from Havre, Montana, was tragically cut short. The incident that led to his death unfolded at a residence on Saddle Butte Drive during a get-together where alcohol was present. Just before 2 a.m., authorities received a report of a gunshot inside the home and arrived to find Murray unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation quickly identified a suspect, 23-year-old Xavier Alexander Clark of Havre, who was taken into custody. According to the Havre Police Department, the fatal shooting was likely the result of careless handling of a. 223 caliber AR-style rifle. It was reported that Clark had pointed the rifle at Murray and it discharged. Investigators were initially uncertain whether the trigger was pulled or if the weapon malfunctioned.
Clark was also accused of pointing the weapon at other individuals at the party.
Initially, Clark was charged with negligent homicide and two counts of assault with a weapon. In November 2021, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case proceeded through the justice system, and in March 2023, Xavier Clark was sentenced for his role in Dyllan Murray's death. During the sentencing, emotional statements from Murray's family were read, detailing the devastation of their loss. Witness video accounts described Clark pointing the gun at them before the fatal shooting. A judge sentenced Clark to 50 years in Montana State Prison with 10 years of parole restriction and 20 years suspended.
Dyllan was remembered by his father as a "fun-loving kid" who was always willing to make sure his friends got home safely. His obituary described him as someone who was the center of attention and brought joy to those around him, with a passion for football, baseball, and Ford trucks. In the wake of his death, the community of Havre showed their support for his family with a parade of pickup trucks in his honor.
