Man charged after pursuit in 3 counties

A Dodson man has been charged with felony assault on a peace officer after he exchanged gunfire with a Fort Belknap police officer, the Phillips County Sheriff's Office said today.

The man is accused of firing at the officer after leading deputies on a high-speed chase that began in Havre on Thursday morning, Havre police said.

Travis Wing, 19, is being held in the Hill County Detention Center on $100,000 bond for the assault charge.

The police pursuit began after a Havre woman reported at 2:50 a.m. Thursday that her 1995 Chrysler New Yorker had been stolen, police said.

Deputies spotted the vehicle east of Havre and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, but Wing didn't stop, said Assistant Police Chief Mike Barthel.

Havre police also believe Wing fired a weapon inside a vehicle in Havre prior to the chase, Barthel said. No charges have been filed in connection with that incident or the pursuit.

"We received a report that a vehicle had been damaged by a single gunshot during the early morning hours of Feb. 13 while traveling on First Street," Barthel said. "We have recovered a bullet and shell casing from inside a 2000 Dodge Durango. We believe that Mr. Wing is responsible for discharging a weapon inside the vehicle."

Barthel declined to elaborate on the shooting or name the registered owner of the Durango.

The FBI said today it is investigating the incidents.