Man claims self-defense after argument leaves one man dead

BILLINGS — A 35-year-old Billings man charged with shooting another man to death early Sunday said he went to confront the victim over a pit bull puppy and a gun he believed the victim had stolen.

Justice of the Peace Larry Herman set bail at $500,000 Tuesday for Mahpevana-Hane (mah-puh-VON’-uh-Hayne) “Lorne” Bearcomesout. He is charged with deliberate homicide in the death of 32-year-old Misael Santiago.

Charging documents say Bearcomesout told officers he went to confront Santiago about the gun and puppy. Bearcomesout said they were outside when Santiago walked by him and said: “I thought you were here to kill me.”

Bearcomesout said he chambered a round in his .45-caliber pistol and Santiago turned to face him, court records said.

“The defendant said he believed Santiago was reaching for a weapon,” the affidavit said. “The defendant then shot Santiago repeatedly.”

Santiago was shot twice in the chest and once in the left shoulder in the driveway of his girlfriend’s house on Billings’ North Side. His body was found Sunday morning.

Bearcomesout told investigators that Santiago did not display a weapon and that he did not see one. Police did not find any weapons near Santiago’s body, the affidavit said, but a gun in a duffel bag was found in the dining room of Santiago’s girlfriend’s residence.

Bearcomesout told officers he hid the pistol used in the shooting near a garbage bin, but police weren’t able to find it, court records said.

Court records do not indicate what may have happened to the puppy.

In May, Bearcomesout was arrested after a disturbance at a house about four blocks from where Sunday’s shooting took place. He was charged with three counts of felony assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, partner of family member assault and two counts of criminal endangerment. He posted a $7,500 bond on June 14. His trial has been set for Nov. 12.