BOZEMAN — Two men are recovering and another man is behind bars after a shooting in downtown Bozeman early Thursday morning.
While the yellow tape behind Bar IX and several other bars was removed, yellow tape around Bozeman Creek lingered well into the morning as city police investigated that area.
One Bozeman man has been arrested in connection with this -- and city police confirm that he was the actual shooter.
"It's insane," said Diana Barton, longtime Bozeman resident. "We don't need guns."
It happened at 2:16 a.m. Thursday morning.
Bozeman Police Deputy Chief Jim Veltkamp said officers found two men suffering from gunshot wounds in a parking lot downtown near the Rouse/Mendenhall intersection.
"Investigation revealed that there was a prior confrontation between the shooter and the victims sometime soon before this inside a nearby bar," Veltkamp said.
Veltkamp added that the men are expected to recover from what were shockingly minor wounds.
"They were the type of injuries that it is surprising weren't more serious,” he said.
Detectives immediately began following leads, leading them to a Bozeman man.
"We have made an arrest of an adult male that we believe was the actual shooter," Veltkamp said.
"I don’t find it acceptable," Barton said.
Diana Barton walks through that same area often and has for around 25 years.
While police said they are looking for several others who could be connected with what happened -- the new sight of yellow tape has her worried.
"Guns are awesome for hunting and protecting but not for going to a bar and shooting people," Barton said.
Veltkamp said Bozeman Creek nearby is part of the crime scene.
The deputy chief said he can’t confirm what they are looking for other than possible key evidence.
But with one arrest already made, Barton hopes this isn’t a sign of a growing situation.
“When you go drinking, just leave your gun at home," Barton said.
Again, Veltkamp said there is no ongoing danger in the area and if you've seen anything or heard anything that could help the investigation, call Bozeman City Police immediately at (406) 582-2000.
