Browning man found guilty of shooting unarmed victim on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

BROWNING, Mont. — A federal jury found a Browning man guilty of shooting an unarmed individual during a fight on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Kevin James Trombley, 28, was convicted of one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence following a one-and-a-half-day trial that concluded Wednesday, March 25.

The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of March 23, 2024, when Trombley and some friends entered a residence without permission where the victim was drinking with friends and family.

A fight broke out, causing damage. The homeowner told everyone to leave and grabbed a pellet gun to emphasize her point, according to court documents.

Investigators said the fight moved outside into the driveway. Trombley, who was seated in the driver's seat of his truck, leaned across the passenger seat and fired a gun through the truck's window.

The shot hit the victim in the abdomen and he fell to the ground.

Trombley fled in his truck. The victim was taken to Blackfeet Community Hospital before being transferred to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, where he underwent surgery for injuries to his internal organs.

Law enforcement spoke with several witnesses who identified Trombley as the shooter.

Trimble was arrested, charged and later convicted. Sentencing is set for April 23.

Trombley faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. He remained detained pending further proceedings.