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Mineral County resident recounts run-in with shooting suspect

Residents pursued the suspect, identified as Willie Joe Richardson, as he drove through town
Mangold's
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SALTESE — A search is underway for the man accused of shooting another man on Sunday in Saltese near Mangold's Motel and General Store.

Residents chased the suspect — identified as Willie Joe Richardson — as he drove through town.

Suspect in Mineral County shooting
Picture of suspect Willie Joe Richardson

"The cook, he said that all he's seen was when he was getting off the exit is them flagging him down, they were covered in blood," waitress at the Montana Bar Tia Downing told MTN.

Downing and her husband were getting off work in Saltese on Sunday night, "We were slammed. It's Sunday night football."

Then, they pulled up next to their coworker, a cook, who had just been in a car accident.

"All of a sudden this black car comes barreling behind us on this road right here, comes around the corner, tries to force us off the road," Downing detailed.

suspect 1013 Car
McKenzie Managhan followed the Saltese shooting suspect through construction traffic

The driver of that car was Richardson, who the Mineral County Sheriff's Office has confirmed shot and injured a man and rammed into a vehicle.

Downing's husband chased Richardson's vehicle down the road and they prevented him from getting on the interstate. However, as of Monday evening, he hasn't been found.

"I can't imagine after last night and him seeing like how many people chased after him, him coming back here, to be honest with you," Downing stated.

The Mineral County Sheriff's Office told MTN that the man who was shot is in stable condition as of Monday afternoon.