HARLEM, Mont. — An hours-long law enforcement standoff in Harlem, Montana, has ended with two people dead after a confrontation that began Thursday morning and continued into early Friday.
Authorities identified the woman found dead inside an apartment as 49-year-old Shannon Morin. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
The second person, 38-year-old Jordan Alexander Werk, died after an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement officers following hours of negotiations at the apartment.
The Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation into both Morin’s death and the officer-involved shooting. Officials said the scene has been secured and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The incident prompted a major response involving local deputies, regional tactical teams, FBI negotiators, Montana Highway Patrol, Fort Belknap Tribal Police and other agencies.
What Happened During the Harlem Standoff?
The law enforcement response began at approximately 11:17 a.m. Thursday, September 24, when Blaine County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a disturbance call at an apartment at 223 3rd Ave. SW, Apartment 2.
According to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Morin’s daughter contacted authorities and reported that a man was inside her mother’s apartment. She told deputies that the man claimed to have a high-powered rifle and that her mother was inside.
The man was identified as Jordan Alexander Werk.
When deputies arrived, they attempted to communicate with Werk through the apartment door and determine whether Morin was safe.
Werk reportedly refused to cooperate and told authorities that Morin was not inside the apartment.
Investigators did not accept that account and remained concerned about Morin’s safety.
Authorities subsequently obtained a search warrant for the apartment and an arrest warrant for Werk. The situation was treated as involving possible domestic violence and a potential hostage situation.
Shannon Morin Found Dead Inside Apartment
When law enforcement eventually entered the apartment, they found Shannon Morin dead inside.
The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office identified Morin as the woman whose daughter initially contacted authorities.
Montana DCI said her death is being investigated as a homicide.
Officials have not released a detailed public account of how Morin died or provided a confirmed motive.
The investigation remains active, and authorities are processing evidence and interviewing witnesses as they work to establish what happened inside the apartment before the tactical operation ended.
Because the investigation is ongoing, additional details about Morin’s death may be released later.
Jordan Alexander Werk Dies After Exchange of Gunfire
Werk remained barricaded inside the apartment while law enforcement attempted to negotiate his surrender.
The standoff continued for many hours.
Additional law enforcement resources were brought in because the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office did not have the equipment and manpower needed to safely resolve the situation on its own.
The Central Montana High Risk Unit and the Billings Police Department SWAT Team were eventually deployed.
According to DCI, both tactical teams arrived at approximately 1:30 a.m. Friday.
Negotiators continued attempting to communicate with Werk while authorities worked to determine Morin’s condition.
After less-than-lethal measures were used inside the residence, DCI said Werk partially exited the apartment and an exchange of gunfire occurred between Werk and law enforcement.
Werk sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two tactical team members suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at the scene.
FBI Negotiators and Tactical Teams Respond
The situation required a large mutual-aid response from multiple agencies.
The response included:
- Blaine County Sheriff’s Office
- Central Montana High Risk Unit
- Great Falls Police Department
- Cascade County Sheriff’s Office
- Billings Police Department SWAT
- FBI negotiators
- Valley County Sheriff’s Office
- Montana Highway Patrol
- Fort Belknap Tribal Police
The Central Montana High Risk Unit includes personnel from the Great Falls Police Department and Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.
The involvement of multiple tactical and negotiating teams reflected the seriousness of the situation and the concern that a person might be trapped or in danger inside the apartment.
Harlem Elementary School Affected by Police Operation
The apartment where the standoff occurred was located near Harlem Elementary School.
Because of the ongoing law enforcement operation, elementary students were moved to the high school and dismissed early, according to Blaine County Undersheriff Chris Adair.
The proximity of the apartment to the school added another concern for authorities as they worked to maintain public safety while attempting to resolve the standoff.
There was no reported ongoing threat to the public after the incident ended.
Hours of Negotiations Before the Shooting
Authorities spent hours attempting to persuade Werk to surrender peacefully.
FBI negotiators were brought in as part of the effort to establish communication with him.
The goal was to determine Morin’s condition, establish what was happening inside the apartment and bring the situation to an end without further loss of life.
The negotiations continued into the early morning hours before tactical teams ultimately moved forward with the operation.
The eventual exchange of gunfire resulted in Werk’s death and minor injuries to two tactical officers.
Investigation Into Shannon Morin’s Death
Montana DCI is investigating Morin’s death separately from the officer-involved shooting while examining the overall circumstances of the incident.
Investigators are processing evidence and conducting witness interviews.
Authorities have not released a complete timeline of what occurred inside the apartment before the tactical operation.
They also have not publicly established a motive for Morin’s death.
Because the investigation remains active, conclusions about the circumstances surrounding her death should not be drawn beyond what authorities have confirmed.
Investigation Into the Officer-Involved Shooting
The officer-involved shooting is also being investigated by Montana DCI.
This is a standard independent investigative process following an officer-involved shooting in Montana.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances leading up to the exchange of gunfire, the actions of Werk and law enforcement, evidence recovered at the scene, and witness accounts.
A coroner’s inquest will be held after the investigation is completed, as required under Montana law.
What Happened to the Tactical Officers?
Two tactical team members sustained minor injuries during the operation.
Officials said their injuries were not life-threatening and that they received medical attention at the scene.
No additional serious officer injuries were reported in the information released by Montana DCI.
The other responding agencies were able to complete their work and return from Harlem following the operation.
Harlem Community Deals With a Deadly Standoff
The incident has had a significant effect on Harlem, a small community in Blaine County.
What began as a disturbance call developed into an hours-long law enforcement operation involving tactical teams, negotiators and multiple agencies.
The proximity of the apartment to an elementary school added another layer of concern for residents and officials.
With two people now dead, the community is left dealing with the aftermath while investigators continue working to establish the full circumstances of the case.
Who Was Shannon Morin?
Shannon Morin was 49 years old and lived in Harlem.
She was the woman whose daughter contacted authorities Thursday morning, prompting the initial law enforcement response.
Authorities later found Morin dead inside the apartment.
Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
Additional information about Morin’s life, family and funeral arrangements had not been publicly released in the information reviewed for this report.
Who Was Jordan Alexander Werk?
Jordan Alexander Werk was 38 years old.
Authorities identified him as the man who was inside Morin’s apartment when deputies arrived and who later exchanged gunfire with law enforcement.
Werk died at the scene after sustaining fatal injuries during the confrontation.
Montana DCI is investigating the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting.
The investigation remains active, and officials have not released all details concerning what happened inside the apartment before the exchange of gunfire.
Harlem Standoff: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Harlem, Blaine County, Montana |
| Apartment | 223 3rd Ave. SW, Apartment 2 |
| Initial Call | Disturbance call |
| Initial Response | Approximately 11:17 a.m., Sept. 24, 2026 |
| Woman Found Dead | Shannon Morin, 49 |
| Man Identified | Jordan Alexander Werk, 38 |
| Morin’s Death | Investigated as homicide |
| Werk’s Death | Fatal injuries following exchange of gunfire with law enforcement |
| Tactical Response | Central Montana High Risk Unit and Billings SWAT |
| Negotiators | FBI and other law enforcement personnel |
| Officer Injuries | Two tactical team members suffered minor injuries |
| Public Threat | Authorities say there is no ongoing threat |
| Investigation | Montana Division of Criminal Investigation |
What Happens Next?
Montana DCI continues processing evidence and interviewing witnesses.
The investigation is expected to provide additional information about both Morin’s death and the officer-involved shooting.
Authorities have said that no additional information will be released while the investigation remains active.
Once the investigation is complete, Montana law requires a coroner’s inquest to be held.
Until then, details circulating online should be treated carefully unless they are confirmed by law enforcement or another authoritative source.
Final Update on the Harlem Montana Standoff
The Harlem standoff that began Thursday morning and continued into early Friday ended with two people dead.
Authorities identified the deceased as 49-year-old Shannon Morin and 38-year-old Jordan Alexander Werk.
Morin’s death is being investigated as a homicide, while Werk died after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement during the hours-long operation.
Two tactical officers suffered minor injuries, while the wider community was placed under significant disruption as police, tactical teams and negotiators worked to resolve the situation.
The apartment has been secured and authorities say there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation continues to investigate the case, and a coroner’s inquest will follow once the investigation is complete.
For now, the focus remains on establishing what happened, respecting the people affected and allowing investigators to complete their work.
This article is based on information released by Montana authorities and current local reporting. Details may change as the investigation continues.