Preston David Bell, 24

Billings, Montana
November 18, 2017

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: over 5 years ago

Overview

Preston David Bell died shortly after midnight on Nov. 18, 2017. He had been driving a flatbed Ford F-350 toward officers when five of them opened fire. Collectively, they fired 74 rounds in the span of six seconds.

The truck, which had been reported stolen from the Livingston area, was loaded in the bed with welding equipment and other heavy machinery.

Bell had earlier led police on two pursuits — one through midtown Billings, dodging spike strips — and had twice shown up at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment, prompting concerns about her safety, officers testified Wednesday. Bell had rammed her unoccupied car, which triggered the initial call to police that night.

After calling off the second pursuit, police tracked Bell to his mother’s home on the 400 block of Bunting Street.

In the ensuing encounter — lasting about six and a half minutes, according to Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Ed Zink — officers approached the parked truck with Bell inside, ordered him to show his hands, sprayed pepper spray through an open window into the truck and laid a spike strip behind the truck.

Bell did not show his hands after multiple commands, according to Officer Jeff Stovall. And he rolled up his window after officers sprayed the pepper spray, despite its typically harsh effect on the body.

Legal Action

In November 2018, a jury found the killing justified.