Man Accused of Shooting at Fleeing Girlfriend Pleads Not Guilty

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A Tacoma man who is accused of shooting his firearm in the direction of his fleeing girlfriend pleaded not guilty to charges in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday.

Todd H. Bergfalk, 44, is charged with two counts of second-degree assault, domestic violence, after he allegedly fired 10 rounds at his girlfriend as she ran down the driveway at a south Chehalis residence.

After entering not guilty pleas, Bergfalk’s defense attorney, David Arcuri, asked Superior Court Judge Nelson Hunt to consider changing his client’s conditions of release.

Arcuri said he spoke to the defendant’s mother prior to the hearing and she agreed that he could be released to her at her Onalaska home on an unsecured appearance bond, if the judge approved the request.

“I understand the charges. I understand what the allegations are,” Arcuri said.

Hunt denied the motion to modify Bergfalk’s bail, and it remains set at $250,000 cash or bond.

“This is two counts of assault with a firearm, and the firearm was fired several times during the course of this,” Hunt said. “Mr. Bergfalk was supposedly intoxicated … and had a warrant outstanding in King County for a DUI,”

Hunt noted that allegations make the defendant a threat to community safety.

Trial week is scheduled for May 18.

According to court documents, before his girlfriend fled, the two had been arguing and Bergfalk allegedly shot four rounds from his Remington .22 rifle inside a trailer house in the 700 block of State Route 508 Saturday. He also allegedly pointed the gun at his girlfriend’s son.

Bergfalk is in custody at the Lewis County Jail.

Second-degree assault carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine.