Fatal shooting allegedly over money

A formal charge of deliberate homicide was filed Friday afternoon against a Martin City man for allegedly shooting another man during a late-night argument Wednesday, reportedly over money.

James William Quen, 47, is accused of shooting and killing Bradley Allen Winters, 33, from Hungry Horse.

According to court officials, Quen has not yet appeared in front of a judge because he was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Friday afternoon for what seemed to be a minor issue.

Court officials expect Quen to appear Monday afternoon. His bond was set at $150,000.

According to the criminal complaint, when deputies arrived at the scene in Hungry Horse, Winters was on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest from a .38-caliber revolver.

According to the court document, the brother of the victim said Quen arrived at the residence and a dispute arose over clothes and money. He said he heard the sound of a gun cocking and then multiple shots were fired. The victim’s brother said Winters was hit and Quen then left the area.

Flathead County sheriff’s deputies located Quen at about 1 a.m. Thursday and spoke with him. He allegedly admitted being in a dispute with the victim and his brother over money. According to the court documents, Quen admitted firing rounds from the revolver during the dispute. He also admitted he pointed his revolver at a person and shot him, and understood that person to be Winters, the document states.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry told the Daily Inter Lake Friday afternoon that his office is still attempting to locate two people, Shivaun Crothers and Ronald Kevin Lindsethat, who may have witnessed the alleged homicide.

Anyone with information on how the department can connect with them is requested to contact 752-tips.

For the offense of deliberate homicide, Quen is facing 10 to 100 years in state prison. Because a gun was used, he may also face an additional two to 10 years.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.