Man Fires Gun Near Vehicle for Driving “Too Fast” Past His House
On July 26, 2022, a male, identified as KM, was driving along Conifer Drive, in Huson, Montana with his cousin, BM, as a passenger. KM and BM were headed to BM’s father’s house to get supplies for a fishing excursion. On their way there, KM drove past a residence on Conifer Drive where 43-year-old David Evitts resides. When they passed his house, Evitts was near the road and was unhappy with KM’s driving behavior.
A short time later, after retrieving the fishing supplies, KM drove his vehicle past Evitts’ residence again. Evitts felt KM was driving too fast. In response, Evitts pulled out a loaded revolver and pointed it at KM and BM.
KM and BM both explained later that when the gun was pointed at them, they thought they were going to be shot. KM described the gun as being pointed directly at his face. KM estimated that Evitts was approximately 20 yards away from him when Evitts pointed the gun at them.
Court documents indicate Evitts then lowered the gun slightly and fired. KM later reported that he observed the round skip off the ground in the direction of his truck.
Evitts’ wife and another woman were standing further down the road during this event. After Evitts fired the round, his wife and the other woman moved into the road blocking KM’s path of travel and forcing KM to stop his truck or risk hitting them. The women immediately began berating KM for his driving. Evitts also approached the vehicle after it had stopped.
As Evitts approached the vehicle, both KM and BM were still in fear that Evitts was going to come to shoot them. KM and BM both reported that when Evitts approached he was no longer holding the gun that they could see, but due to the conduct that had just occurred, they were fearful he still possessed the gun and would use it again to shoot them.
Once Evitts reached KM’s vehicle, he began yelling at KM about speeding. KM and BM eventually drove back to BM’s father’s house and told him what had happened. Evitts wife and the other woman followed KM to BM’s father’s house, where BM’s father told them to leave the property and that he was calling law enforcement. Evitts was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center.
Evitts was later interviewed about the incident and he advised that he had previous issues with KM driving by his house too fast. Evitts confirmed that he had pulled a gun out and fired on this occasion, but he disputed pointing the gun at KM or firing the gun in the direction of KM’s vehicle. When asked if he had fired the gun to intimidate KM to slow down, Evitts responded that he “did not know any other way to do it.”
Evitts is currently being charged with two counts of felony assault with a weapon, felony criminal endangerment, and felony intimidation.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.