Full Story: Bondsman Fatally Shoots Man in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On March 4, 2026, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to 2210 N Reserve St., commonly known as the Town Pump and Lucky Lil’s Casino, after receiving a report of shots fired. An officer arrived and observed a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy standing with four males. Three of the four males had their arms raised, while the fourth male was performing CPR on the shooting victim.  

The officer asked the group of males who fired the shots. The three males with their arms raised indicated that the male who was performing CPR was the shooter. The male performing CPR was later identified as 33-year-old Brandon Wakefield. They were all wearing body armor and tactical belts with firearms.  

The officer noted that Wakefield had a patch on his tactical vest that read, “Fugitive Recovery Agent.” The officer disarmed Wakefield of his firearm, which was located in Wakefield’s right-handed holster. At a later time, officers logged Wakefield’s firearm into evidence. They identified it as a 9mm Sig Sauer P365. The officer removed the firearm’s magazine. Inside, he found 16 9mm Hornady Luger rounds. The magazine holds seventeen 17 rounds total. The officer learned that two spent shell casings had been recovered at the shooting site, leading the officer to conclude that the magazine was initially loaded with 17 rounds, with one additional round chambered (i.e., 18 rounds prior to Wakefield firing twice). 

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What Happened to the Victim: A Tragic Outcome

Another officer was informed that the victim was pronounced deceased by medical personnel on scene. That officer determined that the four men involved in the shooting were bail bondsmen who had traveled to Missoula from Billings to apprehend the victim. According to court documents, Wakefield stated that he fired at a downward angle into the Saturn, towards the victim’s center mass, while standing next to the vehicle.  

Several officers and detectives reviewed video footage from Lucky Lil’s Casino. In the video, a detective observed the victim entering a Saturn. After approximately 10 seconds, a Honda Pilot pulls behind the Saturn, partially blocking the Saturn into the parking space.  

Then the detective observed two males exit the front and rear passenger doors of the Honda. The male exiting the rear passenger door was later identified as JN. The male exiting the front passenger door was later identified as 39-year-old Austin Mistretta. As Mistretta and the other male approach the front end of the Honda, Mistretta is holding up what appears to be a long gun/rifle. Mistretta is pointing the rifle at the Saturn, which is still occupied by the victim.  

Video Evidence: A Clear Sequence of Events

The video then depicts a third male exiting the Honda on the driver’s side. This male was later identified as Wakefield. The video depicts Wakefield approaching the driver’s side of the Saturn, presenting his firearm, and pointing it at the victim. Wakefield then appears to grab the driver ’s-side door handle with his left hand, while holding the firearm in his right hand. Wakefield continues to point the firearm towards the driver’s side of the Saturn, where the victim is seated.  

While this is happening, a fourth male, identified as RS, appears at the rear of Saturn. RS approaches the driver’s side of the Saturn where Wakefield is standing. The detective noted that all four bondsmen are visible in the video frame at this time.  

Wakefield checks the Saturn’s door handle again with his left hand. Wakefield’s right hand is still holding the firearm, which is still pointed at the victim. The Saturn then begins to reverse as JN walks directly behind it. JN can be seen attempting to get away from the Saturn as it moves backwards.  

Inside the Surveillance Footage

While this is happening, Wakefield raises his firearm with a more distinct shooter's stance (two hands on his firearm with arms extended), still pointing the gun at the victim. The Saturn continues to reverse, and most of Wakefield’s person becomes obscured from view by the moving Saturn. The Saturn eventually backs into the Honda, but JN gets away.  

The Saturn then stops. Wakefield and RS are still standing at the driver’s side of the Saturn when it stops. Mistretta appears to walk over to their side of the vehicle, and JN starts to approach as well. As the four bondsmen come together, they momentarily look at each other. Mistretta then goes to the Honda’s front, passenger-side door to retrieve something. As Mistretta is doing this, RS appears to open the Saturn’s driver’s-side door. Wakefield extends his arms outward, presenting the firearm as RS opens the door. The victim is then extracted from the vehicle, and Wakefield begins performing CPR.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Wakefield is currently being charged with felony deliberate homicide, and his bond was set at $1,000,000. Mistretta is currently being charged with felony attempted assault with a weapon. This case was filed directly to District Court. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.