Browning, Montana – A tragic night inside a home on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation has ended in a federal prison sentence for a young Montana man, after what began as a casual evening turned into a fatal moment involving a firearm.
Treyson Lee Sharp, 22, of Browning, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot.
A Night That Turned Deadly
Court documents show that the incident occurred on the night of December 28, 2024, when Sharp invited a woman, identified as Jane Doe, to his family home for dinner. What started as a normal evening soon shifted into a situation that would have devastating consequences.
After dinner, the two went into Sharp’s bedroom, where he began showing her his Christmas gifts. Among those items were two .357 revolvers, which became the focus of their attention. While handling the firearms, Sharp pointed one of the revolvers at the woman.
In a moment that would prove fatal, the weapon discharged, striking Doe in the neck.
According to investigators, Sharp immediately reacted by calling out for help. Family members inside the home rushed to the scene. One person called 911, while another attempted to provide medical aid to the victim. Despite those efforts, the woman died at the scene.
Witnesses later told law enforcement that they had heard Sharp and the victim laughing together just moments before the gunshot rang out, followed by Sharp yelling for help.
Evidence Recovered at the Scene
When officers arrived, they conducted a detailed investigation inside and around the home. Authorities recovered four firearms, including two .357 revolvers, a .44 revolver, and a modified shotgun.
Investigators also located physical evidence that helped piece together what happened. A bullet hole was found in the bedroom wall, while a spent projectile was discovered outside the house. Inside the wall, officers recovered a brass casing, which was later matched through forensic testing to one of the .357 revolvers.
Further examination of the firearm revealed that the revolver’s cylinder had six chambers, with five empty and one containing a spent casing, confirming that a single round had been fired.
Federal Case and Investigation
Sharp later entered a guilty plea in October 2025, acknowledging responsibility for the fatal shooting. The charge of involuntary manslaughter reflects that the act was not intentional but resulted from reckless handling of a firearm.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with the investigation carried out by multiple agencies, including the FBI, ATF, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation.
The sentencing brings legal closure to a case rooted in a brief and tragic lapse in judgment. What began as a routine evening ended with the loss of a life, leaving lasting consequences for everyone involved.
Officials say the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers tied to improper handling of firearms, where even a single careless moment can lead to irreversible outcomes.
