$100,000 Bail for Man Who Allegedly Wanted Suicide by Cop
26 year-old Donald Stebbins, the man accused of brandishing a gun at another driver, in addition to initiating a shootout with police early Thursday morning, was placed on $100,000 bond in Missoula Justice Court on Friday.
Deputy Missoula County Attorney Caitlin Williams asked substitute Justice of the Peace Tracey Rhodes for the high bail amount on charges of felony assault with a weapon.
“This defendant pointed a handgun at another motorist near Ole’s on North Orange Street, and then was involved in a pursuit with police officers,” began Williams. “At the end of the pursuit he fired in the direction of officers and one officer returned fire. The defendant then dropped his gun and tried to leave on foot before being tackled.”
Williams added this troubling note.
“He indicated to detectives that he has PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and was attempting suicide by cop.”
Williams explained the request for such a high bail.
“This defendant has significant mental health issues that make him a danger to the community and to himself at this time,” she said. “The state has conceded that bail can be revisited in the future to allow this defendant to be placed in an in-patient mental health treatment program through the VA, but in the interim, bond should be set at $100,000.”
Judge Rhodes agreed, and set bail at $100,000 and ordered Stebbins to appear again in October.