One man knees a car while two others stand nearby at Montana\u2019s Grandstand Sports Bar and Casino, pictured above. One of the men is a deputy and the other a police officer. Their actions led to departmental discipline. (Image: KTVQ<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe deputy, identified as Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Brandon Smart, also cannot have special duties for a year. In addition, he will attend ethics and conduct training.<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office ruled Smart violated the department\u2019s ethics and conduct rules. Earlier, Billings police officer Matt Frank was suspended for two weeks without pay for the same incident.<\/p>\n
Quickly Escalating Incident<\/h2>\n
The incident took place on Jan. 15. Frank and Smart were socializing at the bar with some other individuals. The duo and a third person went out into the venue\u2019s parking lot. Louis Delgado, 24, was driving a Chevy Malibu and apparently trying to exit the lot.<\/p>\n
Delgado screamed at the men to move. “Get the f*** out of the way,\u201d he said, according to reports from KTVQ<\/em>, a local TV station reported.<\/p>\nThen, one of them yelled back, “Really. Or what?”<\/p>\n
Frank allegedly pushed his knee into the driver\u2019s side door. Delgado then warned them he had a gun.<\/p>\n
Don’t pull a f***ing gun, you f***ing idiot. Are you f***ing kidding me?”<\/strong> one of the men yelled in response.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe situation escalated. Smart allegedly punched Delgado. Delgado then pulled out a firearm and a struggle took place as Smart reached for the gun.<\/p>\n
Smart pulled back — leading police to first suspect he was hit by a bullet fragment. But a later review of the video showed he was hit in the mouth by the butt of the firearm. No weapon ever was fired.<\/p>\n
Driver Suffered Serious Injuries<\/h2>\n
Delgado sped away from the scene. Police officers, who were told he had shot the injured deputy, later pursued him. He eventually drove into a utility pole. He suffered serious injuries after his car rolled over. He was hospitalized for three days.<\/p>\n
In total, at least two dozen officers either responded to the casino lot or the scene of the crash. The incident is still under investigation.<\/p>\n