Travis Albert Carlson, a 39-year-old White male, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017, in Ekalaka, Montana. His death, which occurred in a field southeast of the town, was the result of a gunshot wound. At the time of the incident, Travis was working on his custom fencing business. Witnesses reported seeing him in an altercation with his identical twin brother, Eric Carlson, shortly before the shooting.
The investigation into Travis's death quickly identified his brother, Eric, as the suspect. Following the shooting, Eric fled the scene, prompting a search by law enforcement. The next morning, on October 20, 2017, officers found Eric Carlson deceased at his home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The case was investigated as a murder-suicide.
Authorities indicated that a long-standing feud between the twin brothers was the likely motive behind the tragic events. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation took the lead in the investigation, with their findings to be turned over to the Carter County Attorney's Office. Travis, originally from the Canton, South Dakota area, had recently married in July of 2017. He was remembered for his big smile, laugh, and his willingness to help others.
