Suspected shooter in Airport Road confrontation pleads not guilty to felony charge

A Kalispell man is accused of firing a shotgun at another man who allegedly struck a woman during an argument last month.  

Jim Ray Bromgard, 57, pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of assault with a weapon before Judge Paul Sullivan in Flathead County District Court on May 7. Sullivan scheduled an omnibus hearing in the case for May 20 and a pretrial conference to follow on June 23.  

The alleged gunfire occurred after a Patrick Creek Road woman called the authorities about 10:12 p.m., April 15 and accused her boyfriend of hitting her. Responding Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies found the boyfriend, who accused Bromgard of firing at him as he walked along Airport Road after the argument.  

He provided investigators with video of the alleged shooting he took with his phone, court documents said. The footage allegedly captures a truck driving toward the boyfriend and a gunshot ringing out as it passes. A man matching Bromgard's appearance was behind the wheel of the truck, and a gun barrel can be seen in an open window, according to court documents.  

During an interview with Bromgard, the 57-year-old allegedly said he was trying to scare the boyfriend by firing off a 12-gauge shotgun, which was possibly loaded with birdshot. Bromgard said he drove home after the Airport Road confrontation, put the shotgun into a gun sock and tossed it into bushes on his property, according to court documents.  

Bromgard allegedly led deputies to where he had placed the shotgun and let them search his truck, wherein they found two fired shotgun shells.  

DEPUTIES ALSO met with the woman who called in the alleged assault that sparked the suspected shooting. She was bleeding from the mouth and nose when they arrived, court documents said.  

During the argument with her boyfriend, she allegedly threw a French press at him. He allegedly slapped her in return. The woman then told her boyfriend that Bromgard planned on shooting him, according to court documents.  

While the boyfriend was arrested for an alleged partner or family member assault, a search of court records turns up no charges in district or justice court.