Crime and Courts

Alder man accused of firing shots at car while driving

Posted: Feb 4, 2013 1:56 PM by MTN News
Updated: Feb 4, 2013 4:19 PM

ALDER - An Alder man is out on bail after he allegedly fired a gun at a car while driving on Highway 287 south of Sheridan.

Ryan David Maddison, 36, was charged with criminal endangerment, assault with a weapon and reckless driving. He was seen on the charges Friday. He was released from the Gallatin County Detention Center after posting a $25,000 bond.

An 18-year-old man told a sheriff's deputy that he was driving southbound on Highway 287 at around 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31 with two passengers when a car pulled up beside him, making him believe it would crash into him or run him off the road, and the driver began yelling profanities and threats, according to court documents. Then, the driver pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and fired seven shots towards his vehicle, the man said, according to court papers.

The man said he pulled off when he got to a relative's house, and the other car pulled into the driveway as well. The 18-year-old recognized the man as Maddison as he approached the teen's car. The 18-year-old said when Maddison looked into the car and saw that there were two other people inside, Maddison claimed he was just playing a prank and left, court papers state.

An undersheriff confirmed that a semi-automatic handgun, recovered from Maddison at his residence later, matched the one reportedly used in the crime. Two spent cartridges were found in the road where the incident reportedly took place, court papers state.

Maddison was ordered to wear a SCRAM bracelet upon his release. His preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 26 in Madison County Justice Court.