BILLINGS - Billings police said the early morning shooting outside a Billings bar involved gunfire from at least two people, including a bystander.
Lt. Matt Lennick said in a press release the shooting in the parking lot of the Reno Club off Calhoun Lane started with a verbal argument. During the argument, a 46-year-old man "pulled a firearm and began shooting at a 38 year old male and a 42 year old female striking them both," the press release states.
The injured woman pulled a firearm and "attempted to return fire," the press release states, when a 25-year-old man described as a "bystander" who was not initially involved in the argument "pulled a firearm and fatally shot the 46 year old male."
It was a scary situation for residents living in the area, such as Jennifer Adams.
"We just heard a ton of screaming," Adams said. "A ton of screaming. I mean it is scary. This town is really scary."
Adams said she lives close enough to The Reno Club that she heard the entire incident unfold.
"What was really scary is we heard somebody screaming with that god awful, agony in pain," Adams said. "That's when we knew, you know?"
Adams said she's used to hearing police sirens and even gunshots near her home, but that it's never been that close.
"I've never had it that close, like that close, in my backyard," Adams said.
Police Chief Rich St. John confirmed that the three involved in the shooting before the 25-year-old did know each other. The Reno Club posted a statement on their Facebook page Thursday afternoon alleging that the situation stemmed from an abusive relationship.
"A simple argument doesn't need to escalate to that," St. John said. "Here we are on a Wednesday night at a bar, and we have a lot of handguns. That's disappointing."
St. John said he was disheartened by the escalation to violence happening so quickly and that firearms were around alcohol usage. In Montana, gun owners can carry a concealed weapon without a permit in most places besides a few government and school exceptions, but it's illegal to carry when a person is under the influence.
"Anywhere you got firearms, you got alcohol, that's not a good combination," St. John said. "So, we're very concerned with that."
As for the 25-year-old shooter, questions remain about any charges he may face.
"It's a homicide investigation and potentially we could be looking at criminal charges if we can't establish self-defense or defense of others," St. John said. "Right now, we're just focused on investigating it thoroughly."
It's a shocking night that St. John said wasn't necessary.
"I think we're better than that," St. John said. "We need to be better than that."
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First Report
BILLINGS - Billings police officers are investigating a fatal shooting that also left two other people injured.
Police said on social media that officers responded at about 1:52 a.m. to the 100 block of Calhoun Lane for reports of a shooting with multiple victims.
Officers arrived to find one person dead and two other people suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.
"BPD Detectives have been called out and no subjects are outstanding," the social media post states.
No other information was immediately released.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
