BILLINGS — Update 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13
The suspect arrested after fleeing police from the scene of a midtown Billings shooting Thursday was allegedly attempting to rob the victim's vehicle before opening fire, Billings police said Saturday.
Sgt. Jeff Stovall said in a news release that the 16-year-old suspect was wearing a mask while trying to break into the vehicle on the 1100 block of Cook Avenue. The victim confronted him, and the suspect fired several rounds, missing the victim but striking the victim's vehicle.
The release clarified that the incident was not a drive-by shooting, as some witnesses had previously described. No one was injured in the shooting.
After firing his weapon, the suspect fled the scene in a white Ford F350. He returned to find Billings police officers on scene investigating, then fled at a high rate of speed and crashed into several vehicles near the intersection at 12th Street West.
Two people, a woman and her young child, were transported to a hospital, and Stovall said they did not suffer serious injuries.
He was immediately arrested, Stovall said in the release. Police had previously stated that a woman had also been detained, but Stovall did not clarify if she remained in custody.
The 16-year-old was booked into Youth Services and faces possible charges of criminal endangerment and other charges, according to Stovall.
The suspect arrested after fleeing police from the scene of a midtown Billings shooting Thursday was attempting to rob the victim's vehicle before opening fire, Billings police said Saturday.
An incident on Cook Avenue in Billings Thursday left many residents traumatized, and two injured.
On Thursday morning and early afternoon, multiple suspects were involved in what witnesses described as a drive-by shooting
"It's just terrible knowing that you're not safe at your own house anymore," said Terrence Sherman, an 18-year-old Billings resident who witnessed the event.
"Oh it's terrifying, but I'm always prepared for situations like this," he said.
Some witnesses say the event began when several people tried to break into a parked car and then were confronted by the owner of the vehicle, then allegedly ran to a truck where they sped away.
"We have no idea who they are," says Sherman.
The scary situation became even more dangerous a few hours later, when at least two of the suspects allegedly returned to the scene. At that point, police had arrived, and when the suspects saw the officers they allegedly sped away, according to police. They then crashed into two other vehicles just down the block, including a woman and her son, who were in a jeep.
That's when Sherman and other neighbors sprang into action.
"The truck tried to flee. Me and my other neighbors had to subdue him, and pretty much do a citizen's arrest," said Sherman.
A woman and a boy were taken into custody. As for the woman and her son who were hit, they were rushed to the hospital to be treated for injuries.
Sherman and his fellow neighbors are still worried and concerned for what's next to come.
"I was ready with my firearm, ready to defend my family, my neighbors, and the people I love and care about," he said.
The Billings Police Department states that they do not categorize the event as a hit and run. This is an ongoing investigation.
