Expert sheds light on bounty hunters connected to shooting

MISSOULA, Mont. – Authorities in Missoula are considering charges against two men connected to a deadly shooting that occurred yesterday. Currently, the men have not been formally charged, but police have recommended charges including deliberate homicide and assault with a weapon for one, and attempted assault with a weapon for the other.

While the names of those involved have not been released by Missoula police, it was confirmed that fugitive recovery agents, commonly known as bounty hunters, were attempting to revoke a bond at the time of the incident.

NonStop Local spoke with Mark Heirigs, a criminology professor at the University of Montana, to gain insights into the role of bounty hunters within the criminal justice system.

Heirigs explained that bounty hunters occupy a unique position, describing them as "kind of in a weird spot" and akin to "pseudo law enforcement to a degree."

He noted, "They're carrying out law enforcement duties without some of the same qualified immunities or protections that we might see with what we [traditionally] think about with law enforcement," said Heirigs.

Heirigs also mentioned that bounty hunters sometimes carry firearms and are generally subject to the same legal constraints as any ordinary citizen when using them.