The Missoula Police Department announced on Tuesday that the homicide investigation at the Fox Club Lounge has been delivered to the Missoula County Attorney's office to determine if charges will be filed.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Jason Marks said his office has started their review of the case.

"Obviously, given the serious nature of the crime. the case receives our very highest priority in terms of reviewing it in the timeline that we have," Marks said. "We'll be going through all the reports, witness statements and video and things like that as we evaluate the case."

The fatal shooting occurred early Monday morning, Labor Day, September 1 in the parking lot of the Fox Club Lounge, just off Brooks in Missoula. Public Information Officer Travis Welsh said the incident occurred at about 1:13 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male, later identified as 23 year-old Christopher Michael Hymel, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Another adult male, 27, identified himself as the shooter, and immediately surrendered himself and his weapon to officers.

“Witnesses at the scene stated that a confrontation began in the parking lot that quickly became physical as one male began assaulting the other through the open driver’s side window of his vehicle,” Welsh said. “The confrontation ended after one of the males apparently fired one round from a handgun, striking the other male.”

Hymel was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wound and is deceased. The other male is cooperating and has been interviewed by detectives.

The name of the shooter will not be released unless charges are filed.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Jason Marks

 

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