Judge orders shooter to work with head trauma victims

A Columbia Falls High School student has received six months of probation for shooting a paint ball at a junior high student last October. He’ll also have to do volunteer work with head and eye trauma victims.

Bryce Denny, 15, struck a plea deal last week with Flathead County prosecutors in the case.

Flathead County District Judge Heidi Ulbricht set the conditions of probation, which require Denny to complete 25 hours of community service with head and eye trauma victims at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. 

In addition he has to participate in a victim offender conference or community impact circle through the Center for Restorative Youth Justice in Kalispell, pay a total of $72.50 in supervision and youth court fees, live with his parents and attend school regularly. Also he can’t use any firearms or weapons.

Denny was initially charged with felony criminal endangerment for shooting a fellow teen from the open window of a pickup truck last fall.

On Oct. 21 a Columbia Falls police officer responded to Talbott Road for a report of three teens in a pickup truck shooting paint balls at kids walking home from school.

One of the children was hit in the side of the head and injured by the paint ball. The eighth-grade victim had a large welt on the right side of his head between his ear and eye, according to court documents. His ear was swollen and there was a small amount of green paint on his face.