Christopher Pugrad

After allegedly firing a rifle in the direction of mountain biking trails, Christopher Pugrad of Cody was arrested Sunday on charges of reckless endangering and interference with a peace officer.

According to the affidavit written by Park County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Palmer, he responded to reports of an individual using a gun in an unsafe way near the Park County Sheriff’s Office shooting range. Palmer arrived at the range and spoke with Park County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom Toohey, Cody Police Officer Brandon Tillery and Powell Police Officer Sean Alquist. Palmer was informed that while training they believed they heard gunshots coming from near the Game and Fish Building. 

Upon inspection, Toohey saw that the shots were coming across the road from a shirtless male “shooting a long gun in a very rapid manner.”

Pugrad was allegedly firing towards a ridge where there were “defined and clearly marked mountain bike trails,” according to the affidavit. Tillery located mountain bikers riding on the ridge using binoculars.

Pugrad entered a building which was pointed out to Palmer, according to the affidavit. Dispatch advised Palmer that Pugrad had a firearm restriction. The door to the building was open and Palmer identified himself as a sheriff’s deputy, after several minutes of no response, Palmer walked around the building to see if he could locate anyone. He was informed via radio by Toohey that an individual had left the front of the building when he was on the other side. Palmer returned to the front and identified himself. Pugrad exited the building shirtless and asked Palmer to leave his private property and refused to remove his hand from his pocket. At one point he videoed Palmer with his cellphone. Pugrad attempted to reenter the building and Palmer informed him he was not free to enter the building. When Pugrad continued to walk away Palmer pulled his taser. Pugrad locked the building, and still refused to remove his hands from his pocket.

“Christopher Pugrad made a statement that if I did not want him to put his hands in his pockets I would have to put him in cuffs, I was unable to control Christopher Pugrad’s movement and he would not comply with my commands, so I told him to turn and place his hands behind his back,” Palmer wrote in the affidavit.

Pugrad saw the taser and began to kneel. When Pugrad’s brother Robert arrived Christopher stood and began moving toward his brother. Palmer shoved Christopher back several feet and radioed for additional units.

Toohey, Alquist and Tillery arrived. Toohey and Alquist were wearing identifying gear and Tillery identified himself as a police officer. Christopher attempted to climb a fence, he left the fence and began coming toward Palmer. Christopher was ordered to stop and was roughly 7 feet away from Palmer when the deputy announced and discharged the taser. The darts stuck into Christopher’s chin and right shoulder.

Robert was allegedly yelling and holding a firearm and did not reply to officer requests to discard the weapon. According to the affidavit, Robert yelled that he should have shot the deputy. Toohey eventually was able to get Robert to drop the weapon which was logged into evidence. Robert was also cited for interference with a peace officer.

Christopher pleaded not guilty  on both counts; he is currently out on a $10,000 cash or surety bond. A jury trial is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2023.