Bondsman pleads not guilty to attempted assault in Reserve Street shooting

A Billings bail bondsman has pleaded not guilty to attempted assault charges in connection with the March 4 shooting of a man in a Reserve Street parking lot.

Austin Mistretta appeared for arraignment on the morning of March 16 before Judge Jason Marks in Missoula County District Court. He was charged with one count of attempted assault with a weapon.

Mistretta appeared via Zoom, having already posted bail.

Brandon Wakefield, another bondsman from Mr. Bail, a Billings-based bail bond service, has been charged with deliberate homicide for the same incident. He pleaded not guilty on March 9.

According to charging documents, police responded to reports of gunshots on March 4 in the parking lot of the Town Pump on Reserve Street. When officers arrived, they found four men in tactical gear — three, including Mistretta, with their arms raised and Wakefield performing CPR on a shooting victim.

Officers determined the men were bail bondsmen from Billings there to apprehend the shooting victim. According to court proceedings, they were all employed by Mr. Bail, a Billings-based bail bond service. Two spent shell casings were recovered at the scene, and Wakefield's firearm was taken into evidence.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers were able to review security footage of the parking lot from the time of the shooting.

On the video, according to charging documents, the victim entered his car, a white Saturn. Shortly after, a Honda Pilot pulled in behind the victim's car, partially blocking him in.

Mistretta, holding what appeared to be a rifle, got out of the Honda with another of the bondsmen. Mistretta pointed the rifle at the victim's car. Wakefield then exited the Honda, pointing his gun at the victim, according to charging documents. The fourth bondsman exited the Honda, and Wakefield attempted to open the victim's car door.

According to charging documents, the victim then began to reverse the Saturn into the fourth bondsman, at which point Wakefield raised his gun into a shooter's stance pointed at the victim. The fourth bondsman was able to avoid the Saturn, which backed into the Honda while somewhat obscuring Wakefield from view.

The victim's car stopped after backing into the Honda. The victim was taken out of the car by the bondsmen and Wakefield began performing CPR.

Prosecutors say that Wakefield is the one who shot the victim during the incident.

Mistretta's next hearing is set for May 21.