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Former Kalispell Man Charged With Trying to Rob Accused Drug Dealer

By Beacon Staff

A former Kalispell man has made an initial court appearance on an attempted robbery charge for a December confrontation with a suspected drug dealer in which he was shot and seriously injured.

District Judge Katherine Curtis ordered Bryan K. Schloss jailed on $25,000 bail during a hearing Thursday.

Prosecutors say Schloss and Bo Hanger conspired to rob suspected drug dealer David Palumbo on Dec. 5. The evening ended in a confrontation in an SUV in which Schloss was shot multiple times.

Palumbo told investigators Schloss fired at him first.

Court records said Hanger dropped Schloss off at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Schloss suffered injuries to the face, abdomen and hand. Defense attorney Courtney Nolan said Schloss suffered a punctured lung and liver, had a tracheotomy and has had 13 operations, including one to remove a toe and attach it to his hand. He is scheduled for an operation on his jaw soon.

Schloss suffered nerve damage and takes extensive medications that cost $2,700 a month, she said.

Schloss is on state assistance in Pennsylvania, where he has been living with his sister.

A state charge of attempted deliberate homicide filed against Palumbo was dismissed in May after defense attorneys argued evidence was destroyed when the SUV was returned to Hanger’s parents before the defense could inspect it.

Federal court records show Palumbo plans to plead guilty Thursday to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Hanger is also charged with attempted robbery and tampering with evidence. His trial is scheduled for Aug. 26.