16-05-2025
Suspect allegedly took a shot at slowing down neighbor on dirt bike
May 16—Aiming to encourage a man riding a dirt bike to slow down earlier this month, a Kalispell man allegedly fired off a couple of rounds from a .44 Magnum revolver in front of him.
Prosecutors charged David Leon Wagar, 62, with one count of felony criminal endangerment in Flathead County District Court following the alleged May 7 shooting on Piney Dell Trail.
The man atop the dirt bike told Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies he was riding from Piney Dell Trail to Market Road and back again when he spotted Wagar aiming a firearm at the road in front of him about 9:53 p.m., according to court documents. Wagar, on his porch at the time, allegedly fired twice and then threatened the victim.
Wagar allegedly later told investigators that he "put a couple of slugs in the hillside just to say, 'Hey man, slow down."
He described the victim as riding recklessly and kicking up dirt from the road, according to court documents. Wagar let investigators collect the firearm, a steel gray Smith and Wesson .44 Magnum, court documents said.
Deputies alleged Wagar talked with slurred speech and smelled of an alcoholic beverage. They also noted that there were several homes near Wagar's house, two of which were about 100 yards away.
Criminal endangerment is punishable by up to 10 years in Montana State Prison and a fine of $50,000.
