Police seek man involved in deadly bar fight

Whitefish Police are working with California authorities to locate a man allegedly involved in the death of a Whitefish man following an altercation outside a bar.

The police department is looking to find Xavier J. Chenault of Sacramento, California, according to a release.

Steven Speer, 25, of Whitefish died Aug. 2 of head injuries that resulted during an altercation just after midnight on July 30 outside the VFW Bar and Grill on Baker Avenue, according to Police Chief Bill Dial.

Police officers responded to call reporting a fight and upon their arrival they found Speer lying on the ground near the alley west of the VFW.

Dial said Speer was unconscious and appeared to have head trauma. He was transported by ambulance to Kalispell Regional Medical Center where he later died.

The department conducted an intensive investigation, including identifying and interviewing witnesses and obtaining available surveillance footage, according to Dial. The investigation indicated that Speer had allegedly been in an altercation with a man and that Speer had been knocked to the ground and struck his head.

The victim was transported to the Montana State Crime for an autopsy and results are pending.

Dial said the Flathead County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and will determine whether charges are filed.