Accused murderer picked up in Boulder

A man accused of a fatal shooting at a Helena motel January 25 was arrested north of the Boulder Town Pump later that day, officials said. Brandon James LeClair, 41, was picked up at a smoking shack at the north end of Boulder Wednesday afternoon following a tip to Lewis & Clark County law enforcement and the FBI. It is believed LeClair got a ride from Helena to Boulder.

Officials say he was reportedly fighting with Kenneth Purcell, 31, when Purcell was shot and killed in the motel’s parking lot around 1 a.m. Law enforcement officials say LeClair has previous convictions for methamphetamine possession and for a firearms violation. Other warrants were outstanding against him at the time of his arrest Wednesday, according to officials.