No charges in case of man who shot house guest

BILLINGS (AP) — The Yellowstone County attorney’s office says it will not file charges against a homeowner who shot a house guest in his garage after mistaking him for an intruder.

Senior County Attorney Ed Zink sent a letter to police informing them of the decision. Zink says the 19-year-old who was shot in the chest did not want charges to be filed.

Zink says an investigation found the homeowner was awakened at about 11 p.m. on April 26 by sounds in his garage. While his wife called police, the homeowner grabbed his gun and went to investigate.

Zink says the young man and the homeowner met at the door to the garage and both were startled.

The young man said he had gone to the garage to make a phone call without disturbing the family.