FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Belgrade Police Department
Date: October 28, 2025
Media Update: Officer-Involved Shooting in Belgrade
There will be a press conference providing an update to the officer-involved shooting event which occurred on October 27, 2025. The press conference is set for 2pm on October 28th, and will take place in the Larkspur Conference room at the Belgrade Library, located at 205 West Main Street. Chief Lensing will provide a brief update and summary of events.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Belgrade Police Department
Date: October 27, 2025
Officer-Involved Shooting in Belgrade
Belgrade, MT – On Monday, October 27, 2025, at approximately 1718 hours, officers with the Belgrade Police Department responded to a reported disturbance on Crockett Street in Belgrade.
During the response, an officer-involved shooting occurred. One Belgrade officer sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital, where they are currently listed in stable condition. The suspect involved in the incident is deceased.
There is no ongoing threat to the public. The scene has been secured, and the investigation is ongoing. We request that community members remain clear of the area while the investigation is underway. The investigation is being handled by the Montana Department of Justice.
No further information is available at this time. Additional updates will be provided as appropriate.
We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as we continue this investigation. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, the Bozeman Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Central Valley Fire/Rescue and the Montana Department of Justice.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2025
Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Vehicle Fire; One Arrested
On Wednesday, October 23, 2025, at approximately 6:41 a.m., Gallatin County Dispatch received a report of a vehicle on fire near 18 Bedivere Boulevard in the King Arthur Trailer Court west of Bozeman. Deputies and fire personnel responded to the scene and located a white Dodge van on fire. Once the fire was extinguished, responders discovered a deceased individual inside the vehicle.
The deceased has been identified as 44-year-old Robert Welch of Bozeman, Montana. An autopsy has been performed by the Montana State Medical Examiner.
Following an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division, 51-year-old Beth Bakken was arrested in connection with the incident. Bakken has been charged with:
The case remains under active investigation. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Bozeman Police Department, Central Valley Fire District, and Gallatin County Dispatch.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office at (406) 582-2100 or email the Detective Division at GCSODetectiveDivision@gallatin.mt.gov.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Robert Welch during this difficult time. We would also like to thank the community — especially residents of the King Arthur Trailer Court — for their support and the information they provided during this investigation.
Gallatin County, MT – On Wednesday, October 23, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Coroner’s Office, and the Montana Highway Patrol responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash on Jackrabbit Lane near Addie Lane, north of Four Corners.
A motorcycle traveling southbound collided with a FedEx truck that was also heading southbound. The motorcyclist, identified as 27-year-old Damian Xavier Saavedra of Belgrade, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Sheriff Dan Springer extends his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Saavedra during this difficult time.
On October 22nd at 6:47 am, the Hyalite Fire District was dispatched for a vehicle fire on Bedivere Boulevard located in the King Arthur Mobile Home Park. Since the call originated as a 911 hang up call with the Gallatin County 911 dispatch center, Gallatin County Sheriff deputies were already responding. Hyalite Fire Engine 6-2 arrived on scene within five minutes of being dispatched to find a single vehicle with passenger compartment fully involved with fire. A storage shed and trees were also threatened by the burning vehicle. The Engine 6-2 crew immediately used the fire trucks remote monitor water turret to knockdown the fire showing from the vehicle. Hyalite Fire crews continued vehicle fire attack and while performing a check of the interior of the vehicle found one occupant deceased inside the vehicle. Crews extinguished the fire and turned the scene over to the Gallatin County Sheriffs Office for the investigation. In total the Hyalite Fire District responded with two structure fire engines, one incident command vehicle, and one water tender.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2025
Active Investigation: Vehicle Fire with Fatality in Bozeman
Bozeman, MT – At approximately 6:42 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, along with local fire personnel, responded to a report of a vehicle fire in the area of Bedivere Boulevard in Bozeman.
Upon arrival, emergency responders located a fully engulfed vehicle. After the fire was extinguished, a deceased individual was discovered inside the vehicle. The identity of the individual has not yet been confirmed, and the cause of death is under investigation.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, with assistance from the Montana State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bozeman Police Department. At this time, no further details are being released to protect the integrity of the investigation.
There is no known threat to the public.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office at 406-582-2121 or email the Detective Division at
The Gallatin and Madison County Sheriff’s Offices are requesting the public’s help in locating missing hiker Randall “Randy” Bennett. Bennett is a 50 year old white male with pattern baldness, standing 5’11” tall and weighing approximately 170lbs. Randall was last known to be in Bozeman on the evening of September 24, 2025. Randall’s vehicle has been located at the Spanish Creek trailhead and has been reportedly parked there for at least one week. If anyone has seen Randall or has information on his whereabouts, please contact Gallatin County dispatch immediately at 406-582-2100.
For immediate release: Oct. 16, 2025
Media contact:
Eric Semerad, Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder/Elections Administrator
eric.semerad@gallatin.mt.gov
406-582-3054
Ballots for Nov. 4 Municipal Elections to be Mailed Oct. 17
On Friday, Oct. 17, the Gallatin County Elections Department will begin mailing ballots for the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal elections to all active registered voters in cities and towns holding elections.
This election will be conducted by mail only. No polling places open on Election Day.
Municipal elections are being held in Bozeman, Belgrade, West Yellowstone, and the Belgrade School District. Only voters who reside within those boundaries will receive a ballot for this election.
In total, more than 51,000 ballots will be mailed. Voters can expect ballots to arrive in mailboxes this weekend or early next week. Sample ballots are available at www.MyVoterPageMT.com.
If you don’t receive your ballot by Wednesday, Oct. 22, contact the Gallatin County Elections Office right away to request a replacement or confirm your registration and eligibility.
Voting Options
Voters may return their ballots by mail or in person.
If returning by mail, please send your ballot no later than Friday, Oct. 24 to ensure it arrives by the deadline. Ballots must be received, not postmarked, by 8 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
In-person ballot drop-off is available at the following locations:
All locations are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours through Nov. 3, and from 7 AM to 8 PM on Election Day.
Voters from any municipality may drop their ballots off at any of these sites.
New Ballot Requirement
A new Montana law (HB 719) now requires voters to include their birth year along with their signature when returning mail ballots.
This year’s ballot includes a box for your four-digit birth year.
If left blank, your ballot cannot be counted unless corrected by 5 PM on Nov. 5. The Elections Office will contact affected voters using information on file to help resolve this issue promptly.
Track your ballot and check its status anytime at www.MyVoterPageMT.com.
Voter Registration
Gallatin County is currently in the late registration period for the Nov. 4 election.
To register or update your registration (such as a name or address change), you must visit the Gallatin County Elections Office in person at the Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 W. Main St., Room 210 in Bozeman. Mailed or emailed registration cannot be accepted until after the election.
Late registration is available through Election Day, except for a brief closure from noon on Monday, Nov. 3 until 7 AM on Election Day, when same-day registration resumes and continues until 8 PM.
Check your registration status at www.MyVoterPageMT.com.
If you have questions, please contact our office at gallatin.elections@gallatin.mt.gov or 406-582-3060. For more information, you can also visit www.GallatinVotes.com.
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For immediate release: Oct. 15, 2025
Media contact:
Scott Randall, Consultant Project Manager
406-447-5005
srandall@rpa-eng.com
Gallatin County Releases Draft Supplemental Safety Reports for Public Review
On June 17, 2025, the Gallatin County Commission adopted the County’s first Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan, marking a major milestone in efforts to improve transportation safety for all roadway users. The Action Plan identified four primary safety focus areas—run-off-the-road crashes, intersection crashes, high-risk behaviors, and driver age—and provided countywide strategies to reduce serious and fatal crashes.
As a secondary phase to the Action Plan, the county has conducted a supplemental planning process to take a closer look at high-risk locations and community priorities identified during the Action Plan. Draft reports from this process are now available online for public review and comment through November 15, 2025 at GallatinCountySS4A.com.
“This supplemental effort builds on the foundation of the Action Plan by diving deeper into specific corridors and safety issues where community concerns and crash data intersect,” said Scott Randall, Consultant Project Manager. “By taking the next step in planning for improvements at these priority locations, Gallatin County can prepare actionable projects that will be more competitive for future funding opportunities.”
The draft reports address five focus areas:
The public is encouraged to review the reports and share feedback by November 15, 2025. Comments will help refine recommendations before final adoption.
About the SS4A Program
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program is a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries. With its Action Plan adopted, Gallatin County is now eligible to pursue federal funding for implementing both countywide strategies and site-specific projects identified through supplemental planning.
Share Feedback
Feedback can be submitted at any time through the website or by contacting the consultant project manager, Scott Randall, via email at srandall@rpa-eng.com, by phone at 406-447-5005, or by mail at 3147 Saddle Drive, Helena, MT 59601.
For more information or to review the draft reports, visit GallatinCountySS4A.com.
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For immediate release: Oct. 14, 2025
Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
46-595-8963 (cell)
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov
Media Invitation: Gallatin County Wildfire Mitigation Crew Recognition Event
