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Beer fears lead to charges against men

Jesse Davis | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 3 months AGO
by Jesse Davis
| August 4, 2013 6:00 AM

A man and his beer, apparently, are not easily separated.

Two cases in Flathead District Court involve allegations that men responded violently toward their daughters in incidents involving beer.

In one case, Steven Holm-quist, 35, of Kila pleaded not guilty to three charges after allegedly strangling his 15-year-old daughter and assaulting other family members.

In the other csse, Edmon Shumpert, 62, of Martin City pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a weapon after allegedly pointing a gun at his daughter.

Holmquist is charged with felony counts of criminal endangerment and assault on a minor as well as misdemeanor partner or family member assault for the July 14 incident.

A court document alleges that Holmquist got upset because he thought someone had taken his beer, and when his daughter approached him and asked what was going on, he put her in a headlock.

Her sisters reported they saw her eyes roll back in her head and she passed out before Holmquist let her go.

A deputy later reported seeing red marks on the girl’s neck.

Another of Holmquist’s daughters, 12 years old, reportedly jumped on his back and bit him because she was afraid he was hurting her sister. Holmquist allegedly balled his fist and struck her in the head, and when his wife ran in, he grabbed her, put her in a chokehold, and pulled her to the floor. He then released her and eventually left.

If convicted of all his charges, Holmquist faces between 24 hours in the Flathead County Detention Center and 16 years in prison as well as a fine of between $100 and $101,000.

Holmquist is currently incarcerated in the county jail, where his bond is set at $40,000.

His next hearing is set for Oct. 16.

Shumpert, according to a court document, was drunk and agitated when his two daughters showed up at his home on July 9. They tried to calm him down, but when they tried to take his beer, he allegedly pulled out a gun.

The court document alleges that Shumpert pointed the gun at one of his daughters and said he didn’t care if she was his daughter, he would still shoot her. Shumpert later reportedly admitted drinking eight beers. The gun was located in the house, loaded with a round in the chamber.

If convicted, Shumpert faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Shumpert was originally arrested and jailed, with his bond set at $25,000, but that was later reduced to $5,000, which he posted.

His next hearing is set for Oct. 30.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.

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