Law enforcement looking for attackers who used golf club

Northwest Montana News Network

Flathead County law enforcement officials are investigating a road rage incident that started in Kalispell and ended near Bigfork with one man assaulting another man with a golf club.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said a man allegedly wielding a golf club against another man July 4 has been identified, but the assault still is under investigation.

“We do know who the alleged perpetrator is,” Curry said Monday. “Detectives are working on it. At some point it’s going to be forwarded to the county attorney’s office.”

Curry said surveillance cameras captured images of the incident, and a witness also took some video.

Thomas Valencia, the brother of the victim, Antonio Valencia, said he is concerned about the perpetrators escaping prosecution.

Curry said the altercation was a road rage incident that started in the Kalispell area and ended at the Ferndale Market. Valencia said his brother was being tailgated and after he tried to get the tailing vehicle to back off by pumping his brakes, it turned into a chase that later involved a second pursuing vehicle.

Five men converged on Antonio Valencia at the Ferndale Market, with one of them striking him several times with a golf club until it broke, Thomas Valencia said.