BILLINGS (AP)
The driver at the center of a policeinvolved shooting in November was charged Friday with negligent endangerment and driving under the influence, both misdemeanors. He also disputed the Laurel Police Department's version of events. Jonas Ammon Torres, 25, is accused of deliberately backing into Of f icer David Firebaugh's patrol car during a Nov. 1 traffic stop. Firebaugh fired his gun twice at Torres, missing the motorist but striking his car. The officer said he suspected Torres of drunken driving. Torres, who has previous convictions for drunken driving in 2000 and 2002, disputed the department's claim that his vehicle pushed the patrol car nearly seven feet. In a statement read to the Billings Gazette on Friday, he said he "lightly bumped" the patrol car after mistakenly putting his vehicle into reverse. "Although Firebaugh claims I 'rammed' his car, there is absolutely no damage to the rear of my car, and it is undisputed that his air bags did not deploy," Torres said. "Obviously the contact was not major." He also said he was needlessly shocked with a Taser by Firebaugh and Yellowstone County Deputy Nick Reyna. The men taunted him with racial slurs and challenged him to resist, said Torres, who is Hispanic. Laurel Police Chief Rick Musson, who dismissed Torres' claims of abuse, said Firebaugh was in fear for his life when he fired on the man. He said that after the encounter Torres was hit with a Taser twice once when he refused to stay on the ground and once when he lunged at an officer on the scene. Attempts by the newspaper to reach Reyna, Firebaugh and Yellowstone County Sheriff Chuck Maxwell for a response to Torres' allegations were unsuccessful. A review panel of three officers from law enforcement agencies said Firebaugh was right to think he faced an imminent threat, but in shooting from inside his patrol car he failed to consider the potential for harming others. The panel recommended Firebaugh receive additional training in firearms safety and protocols for use of force. Firebaugh also received a letter of reprimand. Torres, who said he was considering a lawsuit against the department, was issued a notice to appear in Yellowstone County Justice Court on Jan. 16.
