Police charge man with attempted homicide in Cascade bar shooting

Traci Rosenbaum | Great Falls Tribune

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Police arrested a man and charged him with attempted deliberate homicide and assault with a weapon early Thursday morning in Cascade for allegedly pointing and repeatedly firing a gun at two men who were attempting to stop him from driving drunk.

According to charging documents, Cascade County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the Driftwood Bar in Cascade just after midnight Thursday morning for a report of an altercation.

Dispatch advised that Rion Edward Marricle, 24, had left the bar and attempted to drive while intoxicated.

The affidavit states that Marricle brandished a handgun at two males who were trying to prevent him from driving.

Marricle allegedly attempted to fire the weapon at one of the men’s heads.

When the gun misfired, he allegedly chambered another round and attempted to fire again, and the gun again misfired.

Marricle reportedly chambered a third round that popped out and was caught by Marricle, who threw it to one of the two men.

Marricle then pointed the gun at one of the men’s heads and said, “The next one is in your head!” per the affidavit.

As one of the two men pulled the other away from the gun, Marricle allegedly fired three more rounds that did not strike the men.

After the men fled the area and returned to the bar, Marricle allegedly fled the scene.

Deputies apprehended him at mile marker 2 on Sheep Creek Road, just over 7 miles southwest of Cascade.

Deputies reported that in a field interview, Marricle admitted to firing the gun.

The affidavit states that Marricle’s driver’s license was revoked in 2016, and he has a prior driving under the influence conviction from his home state of Colorado.

Marricle’s citations list his city of residence as Florence, Mont.

A bond of $250,000 was requested in the case, and the state requested alcohol monitoring should Marricle be released.

Criminal justice reporter Traci Rosenbaum reports on law enforcement issues for the Tribune. Have ideas or questions for Traci on her beat? Reach her at trosenbaum@greatfallstribune.com or 406-791-1490.

Follow her on Twitter @GFTrib_TRosenba.

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