Victim in Bozeman Homicide Identified
Update 4/8
The Gallatin County Office of the Sheriff/Coroner identified the victim of the shooting on Thursday, April 4, 59-year-old Cynthia Carol Wills of Bozeman.
Original story 4/5
At approximately 8:10 p.m., Thursday, April 4, Bozeman police officers responded to a 911 call that came from the Wagon Wheel mobile home park at 2220 W. Main Street. The reporting party stated that they heard two gunshots and saw a female victim lying in the driveway of a nearby residence.
The reporting party told dispatch that the victim was "groaning" and then saw a male approach the victim and drop a towel on top of her before returning inside of his residence.
The suspected shooter, William Frederick Bailey, was observed by responding officers walking onto the porch of the residence while holding a firearm. Officers instructed Bailey to drop the weapon several times before he did so.
After finally dropping the gun, officers instructed Bailey to get on the ground where they proceeded to place him in handcuffs.
After being transported to the Gallatin County Detention Center, Bailey agreed to waive his rights and spoke to law enforcement.
Bailey stated that the female victim moved in with him at his home in 2016. He said that there was not a history of violence with the victim, but that they began arguing lately after she began spending time with another man.
On Thursday evening, after the female victim had apparently visited the other male, Bailey began to throw the victim's belongings into the street. The victim returned to the residence during this time and reportedly threw an object at the front door. It was at this time that Bailey says he opened the door, removed the gun from his waistband and fired multiple shots at the victim.
The victim suffered gunshot wounds to her abdomen. Emergency personnel attempted to initiate CPR at the scene. She was eventually transported to the hospital where she died during emergency surgery.
The victim's name has not been released.
Bailey was being held at the detention center on $1 million bail.