After a four day trial, Austin Stone (24) of Billings was found guilty of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and 1st degree murder by a jury in the fatal shooting of a man near Aurora in March 2025.
In the probable cause statement, a 911 caller reported that “someone was shot” to Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies went to the location of the witness on Farm Road 2240 east of Farm Road 1210 and found the victim with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Witnesses reported that the suspect stopped his vehicle next to the victims vehicle in a ditch. The victim got out of his car and walked towards Stone’s vehicle when Stone shot the victim and drove away.
Stone was later apprehended and declined to speak to a detective after being read his rights.
Stone is currently being held in the Lawrence County jail denied bail.
Stone is scheduled for sentencing July 9th 2026.