GREAT FALLS — Ronald August Wilcox made his initial appearance in court in Great Falls on Friday in connection with the shooting death of Joseph Randall Ray.
At about 8:37 p.m. on Thursday, Cascade County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched for a report of a man who had been shot in front of the Office Bar in Vaughn.
The victim - later identified as Ray - was taken to Benefis Health System hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Wilcox, 61 years old, has been charged at this point with assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment; amended or new charges are possible, depending on the results of the investigation into the shooting.
Bail for Wilcox was set at $75,000; he also was ordered to submit to alcohol monitoring.
An autopsy on Ray is scheduled for Monday, July 19, at the state crime lab in Missoula.
Detectives with the Sheriff's Office are continuing their investigation. We will update you as we get more information.
( FRIDAY, 11:08 am) Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter has identified Joseph Randall Ray as the man who died after being shot in Vaughn on Thursday evening.
At about 8:37 p.m., deputies were dispatched for a report of a man who had been shot in front of the Office Bar in Vaughn.
The victim - later identified as Ray - was taken to Benefis Health System hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The defendant, Ronald August Wilcox, has been charged at this point with assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment; amended or new charges are possible. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance District Court in Great Falls on Friday afternoon.
Detectives with the Sheriff's Office are continuing their investigation. We will update you as we get more information.
(THURSDAY, 10:43 pm) Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter told MTN that one man has died, and the suspect has been taken into custody.
The two men were involved in an altercation at the Office Bar that resulted in the victim being shot, according to Sheriff Slaughter.
The victim died after being taken to a hospital.
No other details have been released at this point, including the names of the victim and the suspect.
We will update you when we get more information.
(1st REPORT, THURSDAY, 9:53 pm) Law enforcement officers are at the scene of an incident at the Office Bar in Vaughn.
Authorities have not yet released any details, but witnesses outside told MTN that there was a shooting.
A Mercy Flight helicopter from Benefis Health System was dispatched to the scene, and a ground ambulance was seen leaving the site just after 9 p.m.
Volunteer fire departments - including Vaughn and Sun Prairie - were at the scene providing assistance to Cascade County Sheriff's deputies.
The Office Bar is at 128 US Highway 89.
