Man in coma, another charged with aggravated assault after late night Belgrade bar fight

By Beth Saboe

Posted: Feb 25, 2010 9:39 AM
Updated: Feb 26, 2010 5:07 PM

A local man is in a coma after a bar fight in Belgrade Wednesday night.

Shad Waddell, 28, of Belgrade was Life Flighted to St. Vincent Hospital in Billings after being punched outside the Belgrade Lounge, Police Chief E.J. Clark said.

Matthew Wagemann, 27, of Bozeman, is accused of "sucker punching" Waddell. He appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court Thursday morning and is charged with aggravated assault. Wagemann is being held on $150,000 bail.

Witnesses told authorities Waddell was "sucker punched," then fell to the ground and hit his head on the asphalt, according to the prosecutor. Wagemann sat in the courtroom, shaking his head, as the prosecutor described the events of the night. Wagemann claims he acted in self defense.

Waddell was reportedly just a bystander in a crowd of people who gathered in the parking lot of the bar after a separate fight erupted inside the lounge.

Law enforcement was called to the scene at about 11:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Two other local men were charged with misdemeanors in the incident. Theodore Antonsen was arrested for obstructing a peace officer and disorderly conduct. John Cornejo was cited and released for disorderly conduct

In addition to Belgrade police, the Central Valley Fire Department, AMR and Gallatin County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene.

Belgrade police say many people saw the altercation and are asking that all witnesses come forward to be interviewed.

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