BELGRADE- The man accused of attempting to strangle a blind woman in front of her infant, then holing up for an hours-long standoff with police, is being held in Gallatin County jail on $100,000 bail
David Harold Hixson, 56, is required to wear a GPS monitor if he meets bail. He was seen in court Tuesday.
On Monday, the woman was able to escape from a domestic disturbance in Belgrade business on Monday, and after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement, the suspect was arrested.
According to a press release from Belgrade Police Department Chief E. J. Clark Jr., at approximately 2:45 p.m. police received a report of a domestic disturbance in the area of 90 North Kennedy in Belgrade between a man and a woman.
The woman was reportedly assaulted inside the business property at 90 North Kennedy and managed to escape outside, helped by people that saw her. When the man, identified by Belgrade Police as Hixson, saw people helping the woman, he returned inside the business.
Belgrade police officers arrived and requested medical treatment for the woman who said she had been strangled and threatened with a gun. She was transported to Bozeman Deaconess Health.
Officers could see Hixson through a window and attempted to contact the man, who would not respond to any orders by the officers. A perimeter was established by law enforcement, including the Belgrade Police Department, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montana Highway Patrol. The Gallatin County Sheriff/Bozeman Police Department SRT team was requested to assist with containment, negotiations, and entry to the building.
Also assisting at the scene were the Bozeman Fire Department SRT Medics and Ambulance, Gallatin County Emergency Management as well as additional Bozeman Police Officers and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies and the crew of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Command vehicle and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Chaplain.
Clark said after several hours and numerous failed attempts to communicate with Hixson, SRT took advantage of an opportunity and deployed less than lethal options on the suspect. Hixson was taken into custody without injury at approximately 10:30 p.m. No law enforcement members were injured in the incident.
Hixson was transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center. The suspect will be held on charges of strangulation and assault with a weapon.
Clark said the assistance by helpful citizens certainly prevented the continued assault on the victim.
