Inset: Jakob Lundberg (Gallatin County Justice of the Peace/KPAX). Background: The bar where Lundberg allegedly got into a fight that led to a fatal shooting in Bozeman, Mont. (Google Maps).
A Montana resident is now in custody following a deadly shooting that erupted from a bar fight in a bustling downtown area, as reported by Big Sky Country authorities.
Jakob Steven Lundberg, aged 22, faces charges including deliberate homicide, criminal endangerment, and evidence tampering, according to the Bozeman Police Department. The tragic incident claimed the life of 29-year-old Sidney Callaghan, officials confirmed.
The events unfolded in the early hours of May 25, starting inside and then spilling outside the Rocking R Bar located in downtown Bozeman.
According to an affidavit accessed by the Fairfield Sun Times, the altercation between the two men began inside the establishment. Bar staff intervened, escorting the men outside, but the confrontation persisted, as noted by the police.
Law enforcement reports indicate that Lundberg then approached his red Subaru WRX, retrieved a firearm, and returned to the scene.
Bozeman Police Detective Kyle Hodges described in the affidavit, “(Lundberg) extends his arms into an ‘isosceles’ shooting stance and points a handgun at Callaghan. Lundberg lowers the gun, moves closer, raises the weapon again, and fires at Callaghan, causing him to collapse.”
After shooting the other man several times, Lundberg got into his Subaru and left the scene of the crime just before 1 a.m., police said.
“Our officers arrived on scene, began life-saving measures on the individual,” a police department spokesperson told NBC Montana. “Tragically, they were transported to local hospital and…determined to be deceased.”
The defendant later contacted his father and expressed contrition for the night’s events, saying: “I shot somebody,” according to charging documents obtained by Missoula-based CBS affiliate KPAX.
Witnesses would eventually provide a description of the defendant’s vehicle, police said. Lundberg was arrested near a local Walmart.
The defendant allegedly told law enforcement he disposed of the weapon near a white van – after being convinced a firearm out in the open during the Memorial Day parade would be a public safety risk. The gun was found the next day.
“We have a canine, Copper is her name, she’s trained to detect like firearms and explosives and anything that falls kind of under that purview,” the police department spokesperson continued. “And, so utilizing her, we were able to locate what we suspect to believe the weapon that was used in the incident.”
The defendant, for his part, allegedly kept mum when questioned about the incident aside from making “spontaneous statements about regretting what he had done,” according to the affidavit.
First responder rushed Callaghan to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
In a review of surveillance footage, authorities say the shooting occurred in a crowded area with numerous bystanders nearby – including pedestrians and patrons at adjacent businesses.
Lundberg appeared in court for an initial appearance earlier this week where his bond was set at $1.5 million.
Prosecutors clarified that the investigation is in its early stages and that they will likely file formal charges in the weeks to come.
“Violence of this magnitude in the heart of our community is devastating,” Gallatin County Attorney Audrey Cromwell said. “Our office will continue working closely with law enforcement to ensure a thorough review of the evidence and to seek justice for Sidney.”
Lundberg remains detained at the Gallatin County Detention Facility as of this writing.
