Montana Man Faces 20 Charges After Bizarre Hot Springs Shooting

ICYMI. I saw a post from the Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office pop up in my news feed over the weekend and I'm still shaking my head about the crazy story. It's straight out of the wild, wild, West. Honestly, it's a miracle no one was hurt or killed, considering the suspect basically sprayed bullets around the property of a popular hot springs lodge in Jackson, Montana.

It should have been a quiet night in Jackson.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 22 in the sleepy burg of Jackson (population 26), a rural community west of Dillon, MT that is probably best known for farming, ranching, and its natural hot springs. Nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by the towering mountains of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the tiny town was anything but quiet as the bar closed that night.

Booze, a bar fight, and shots fired.

According to the initial report from the Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the scene after receiving multiple calls about a person or persons firing shots at and around the Jackson Hot Springs Lodge. Based upon the 911 calls, authorities believed that at least two men were exchanging gunfire with shotguns. Upon arrival, they found just one man, randomly shooting toward the building and its surroundings. Law enforcement reported,

During the investigation it was determined that this incident started after an alcohol fueled fight took place in the Lodge, and the males were asked to leave. The males left and one returned from his cabin with a pistol and began firing at the Lodge. The male would continue firing aimlessly, and wandering around the area until he was apprehended by Law Enforcement.

Get our free mobile app

A frightening experience for some guests.

A follow-up press release posted by the Sherrif's Office on Monday (10/24) provides more details about the ruckus, revealing that the armed suspect also stormed into two occupied cabins at some point during the incident. The man also fired at the bar where employees were still cleaning up from the fight he started earlier in the evening.

$250,000 bond.

Jimmie “Luke” Snaric, age 34, from Cascade, Montana was arrested and has been charged with a total of 20 felonies, including 15 counts of Assault with a Weapon. Snaric appeared in court on Monday with his bond set at $250,000.