Two on the run following shooting

Following an early morning shooting in Saratoga, two individuals—Victoria Tidball and Cody Ellenson—are on the run and considered to be armed and dangerous.

“Shortly after 1 o’clock Saturday morning, Saratoga dispatch received multiple calls of gunshots being fired in the 300 block of North Veterans. Officers arrived and found that a Jeep Gladiator and the residence there had been shot multiple times,” said Saratoga Police Chief Mike Morris. “We secured the scene, made sure the victim was safe and began looking for our suspect who had been identified as Victoria Tidball.”

Tidball had fled the scene after firing approximately 40 rounds into both the residence and vehicle of the victim. The Saratoga Police Department was unable to locate her immediately after the shooting. Two hours later, at approximately 3 a.m., a report of a burglary at the Whistle Pig Saloon located just outside Saratoga was received.

“We have gathered evidence that indicates that after Ms. Tidball left the scene of the shooting, she had come in contact with Mr. Ellenson,” said Morris. “That’s how the two are tight together.”

According to Morris, evidence indicates Tidball and Ellenson were acquaintances prior to the two events. The police chief said that all evidence indicates Ellenson was not present at the shooting, but it was currently unclear if he was involved. While there have been some questions on social media as to whether the shooting may have been drug related or drug induced, Morris said he didn’t believe the crime itself was drug related.

“I think it started more as a domestic dispute,” said Morris. “Whether or not there were drugs involved, or on board or under the influence I don’t know that.”

While it does not appear Tidball has a prior criminal past, Ellenson previously had run-ins with law enforcement. Ellenson was arrested in Campbell County in 2012 in connection to several burglaries, according to reporting from the Gillette News Record. According to Morris, Ellenson is also currently wanted on a separate charge in Campbell County.

Though Ellenson and Tidball are both considered armed and dangerous, Morris said he did not believe there was any immediate danger.

“Over the last couple of days, we have gathered evidence that indicates they are not in this area at this point in time. Cell phone pings and things like that are not 100% accurate, so we would continue to ask the public that, if we have any sightings of either the vehicle or Mr. Ellenson or Ms. Tidball, they immediately contact law enforcement,” said Morris. “I don’t believe there’s an exigent danger to the public at this point, but we still ask the public to be vigilant.”

Cody Ellenson is described as being 6 feet, 2 inches in height and weighing 172 pounds. Victoria Tidball is described as being 5 feet, 6 inches and weighing 120 pounds.