In the early morning hours of Valentine's Day in 2019, a violent encounter in a Coram, Montana home shattered the peace and left a man dead. William Melton, a 54-year-old male, was fatally shot at a residence on February 14, 2019. The incident, which occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m., was the culmination of what authorities believe began as a dispute.
Responding to the scene, law enforcement officials discovered Melton had succumbed to his injuries. The alleged shooter, identified as 19-year-old Martin Chandler, had fled the location immediately after the shooting. Witnesses were able to provide a description of the vehicle Chandler was driving, which was soon spotted in the nearby Columbia Falls area.
A traffic stop was conducted, and Chandler was taken into custody without incident. He was subsequently charged with deliberate homicide and held without bail.
Investigators stated that Chandler and Melton were acquainted, though the exact nature of their relationship was not immediately detailed. Later reports from prosecutors indicated that the argument leading to the fatal shooting may have been over methamphetamine. Chandler had a prior history with law enforcement, including accusations of burglary, assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief. The Columbia Falls Police Department assisted the Flathead County Sheriff's Office in the investigation.
