Missoula, MT — A jury convened to assess the circumstances surrounding a fatal shooting by a Yellowstone County sheriff’s deputy concluded on Friday that the officer was justified in his actions. Deputy Christopher Etter shot and killed 50-year-old Vilene Not Afraid on March 25, 2023, following a tense two-hour standoff on a busy Billings roadway.
After less than an hour of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict stating that Deputy Etter’s use of force was justified and classified the incident as “suicide by law enforcement.” The verdict marks a significant moment for Montana, as the concept of “suicide by law enforcement” was newly included in state law for the first time during this inquest.
Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito, who oversaw the inquest, acknowledged the complexity of the situation and thanked all involved, including Deputy Etter. “I want to thank Deputy Etter who’s in the courtroom today, who voluntarily appeared to testify in front of you,” Twito said. “I can’t imagine how difficult that must be, but he voluntarily did that. He’s not obligated under Montana law, but he did.”
This inquest was the first in which the new legal option—“suicide by law enforcement”—was available for the jury to consider. “This is an important addition to our laws in Montana,” Twito remarked during his final address to the jury. “And it’s something that you guys need to determine if you can, yes or no. And that’s entirely up to you.”
The case stemmed from a disturbing sequence of events that began earlier in the day on March 25. A 10-minute 911 call, played for the jury, captured a frantic conversation between Not Afraid’s partner and a dispatcher, reporting that Not Afraid had stolen her vehicle and brandished a gun.
Police pursuit footage, including dash cam, drone, and body camera footage, painted a detailed picture of the high-stakes standoff. Officers were shown attempting to de-escalate the situation and convince Not Afraid to exit her vehicle without the weapon. After more than two hours of negotiation and failed attempts, SWAT team members deployed CS gas into the vehicle. The gas, known to cause severe irritation to the eyes and nose, forced Not Afraid to exit the car.
At approximately 6:24 p.m., Not Afraid emerged from the vehicle holding a gun in one hand and a black purse in the other. Deputy Etter, positioned inside a SWAT vehicle, fired four shots, striking Not Afraid. She was later pronounced dead at Billings Clinic.
The jury’s verdict, which came after just two days of testimony, now leaves the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office to decide whether criminal charges will be filed in connection with the shooting.
This case has drawn significant attention, both for its tragic outcome and for the broader implications it may have on law enforcement protocols and the evolving legal framework surrounding incidents of this nature.
