Pellet-gun shooter gets deferred sentence

A Marion man who shot a pellet gun at a motorist and her passenger from another vehicle has received a significantly shorter sentence than what initially was proposed by the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

Brock McCormack, 22, initially pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment as part of a plea deal that included dismissal of a second felony charge of assault with a weapon and a recommendation for a deferred 10-year sentence.

On Dec. 12, District Judge Robert Allison handed down a deferred sentence of three years.

McCormack was in a vehicle driven by his ex-girlfriend on June 20, when they were involved in a road rage incident with the occupants of another vehicle.

McCormack and his ex-girlfriend chased the other vehicle at speeds of more than 100 mph on U.S. 2.

During the chase, McCormack shot 15 to 20 BBs at the vehicle from a pellet gun, striking a passenger once in the neck.

When McCormack testified on Oct. 3, Allison asked him if alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident. McCormack replied, “No alcohol.”