Suspect in Amboy-area shooting death appears in court on murder allegation

Two witnesses who were with Tveidt before the shooting told detectives that Tveidt was driving them in his vehicle after dark near 54 Road, east of Healy Road, after watching the sunset and drinking beer.

At about 7 p.m., Tveidt drove past a pullout in the road, where a white truck was parked, and they heard gunshots. Tveidt pulled his car up next to the truck and then drove “in the firing line of the person shooting guns,” court documents stated.

The two witnesses with Tveidt told detectives that Tveidt “jumped out of his car and began yelling and charging at the person who was shooting.” The witnesses heard several gunshots and saw Tveidt fall to the ground.

The shooter allegedly told the witnesses to stay on the ground, got in his truck and drove away quickly, causing items to spill out of the back, court documents state, including a bag with Nutter’s name on it and a set of military dog tags, also with Nutter’s name.

Empty beer cans, magazines for a rifle and spent shell casings had also fallen from the truck, court documents stated.

The witnesses drove to find cellphone service to call 911. A LifeFlight helicopter was called, but Tveidt died before it arrived, according to a press release.

Deputies later found Nutter at his apartment, took him to an interview room and questioned him. After obtaining a search warrant for Nutter’s apartment, detectives found a “burn barrel” in his living room with shell casings, playing cards and other items. Deputies then took him into custody in connection with the shooting, according to court documents.

Therese Lavalee, Nutter’s attorney, said during the first appearance that “there’s a very good self-defense claim.”

Nutter’s criminal history includes a DUI conviction from 2012. He works at a local fast food establishment and served in the U.S. Army, according to Lavalee.

Nutter’s arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 30.

Clark County Major Crimes is investigating and anyone with information on this homicide is asked to contact Detective Justin Messman at 564-397-2051.

Four children

Cassie Chartier, Tveidt’s sister, said he was loved by his four children.

“I watched him be a dad toward them, and he was an amazing dad,” she said. “He taught them how to fish and how to drive a tractor. He loved those children so much.”

She said that Tveidt also had a great number of friends, and he was known for riding his dirt bikes through the town of Yacolt.

Terri Wolfe, Tveidt’s mother, said he will be buried next to his father at Mountain View Cemetery in Amboy. There is no public memorial planned at this time because of the pandemic restrictions, she said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family of Tveidt.