Suspect pleads not guilty to shooting

The suspect in a June 14 shooting outside a Marion bar has denied the charges.

At a hearing Thursday in Flathead County District Court, Leif Lee, 27, pleaded not guilty to felony counts of assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment.

The incident took place shortly after 2 a.m. outside the Rail Line Tavern. A witness told law officers that Lee was having an argument with a woman.

According to court documents, the witness tried to intervene, at which point Lee allegedly took out a gun and fired it twice. Bullets struck the witness as well as a Bigfork woman. The woman was hospitalized and Lee reportedly fled.

Court documents say that Lee called the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office the next day and reported that he had fired his gun that night at the Rail Line.

Lee previously posted a $50,000 bond and is out on conditional release. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

A trial has been set for September. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 15.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.