According to Knutson, Doering proclaimed to everyone within earshot that he was not the shooter.

Immediately after the shootings, Doering fled to his car where he threw away four spent cartridges and buried the remaining live rounds. He asked his girlfriend to take his two guns and leave, but she stayed at the scene.

In two separate interviews in the first two days of the investigation, Doering denied knowing anything about live ammunition.

One week later, Doering admitted to investigators that the four bullets came from a .45-caliber Ruger he used during the shoot-out.

“I panicked,” Doering said when Viken questioned him about his actions on June 17.

The judge questioned Doering extensively during the sentencing hearing to help him understand what happened that day in Hill City.

“I’m at a loss to understand how someone with your background, at 49, could get caught in this situation,” Viken said.

Viken also listened intently as several friends of Doering spoke on his behalf. They described him as a hardworking, trusted friend, a non-drinker and someone who enjoys doing charity work.