Sometimes there are stories that you cover that really stay with you.  Long after you are finished editing you still think about them.  On April 27th, German exchange student Diren Dede was shot and killed in his neighbor Markus Kaarma’s garage.  The investigation is ongoing.  I spent several days the week following his death working with the German magazine Stern covering the shooting, “Castle Doctrine,” gun laws in Montana, and the aftermath of the young man’s death.  There are no winners in the story and the heartbreak in the neighborhood and community was palpable.  This story and the circumstances surrounding Dede’s death have really stuck with me.  I’ll be following along with the rest of the community to see what happens in the legal system. Above you can see the images of Dede’s host family’s house, neighborhood and candle light vigil Stern used in their publication.  I’ve included some outtakes below from my coverage during the week.

Redux Pictures is syndicating images as well if you are looking for further coverage.  Click here for a full edit.

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Missoula, Montana

Classmates Chance Maes and Zack Plasmier attend Big Sky High School where they met and befriended Dede.

The home of shooter Markus Kaarma.  Dede was shot and killed in the garage of the home in the early morning hours of April 27th.

Representative Ellie Hill is looking to introduce a bill to change the current “Castle Doctrine” laws in Montana.  Hill, a gun owner herself, says that Montana has a culture and history around guns including hunting, collecting, and self defense.  “We honor that culture in Montana, but not at all costs,” said Hill.

Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shoot Sports Association discusses gun laws at his home in Missoula, Montana.  He supports current “Castle Law” as it stands in Montana.

“What can we do to ensure that this tragedy informs the community so the next one doesn’t happen?” asks Missoula Mayor John Engan.

A candle light vigil was held in Missoula in honor of Diren Dede.  Here Natalie Dawson, 34, of Missoula holds a sign during the vigil held at the Fort Missoula Soccer Fields.  Below are more images from the vigil.

Please contact Redux Pictures if you are interested in any of the pictures shown here or in their syndication gallery.  Thanks again to editor Angelika Hala at Stern for the great guidance and direction on this assignment.