An Eastland Crossing woman shot at her home on Oct. 10 by a SWAT team member has had her initial appearance on a felony charge of assault on a peace officer.

Michelle Gentry, 54, appeared in Flathead County Justice Court late Monday afternoon, according to Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry.

Gentry had been hospitalized at the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs but was brought back to face her charges. She was booked into the Flathead County Detention Center before being released when she posted a $10,000 cash bond.

A court document alleges Gentry committed the felony when she exited her home and aimed a handgun at SWAT team member Deputy Caleb Pleasants, who then fired several shots, striking her twice and leaving her in critical condition.

The SWAT team had been dispatched to her home after negotiators were unable to convince her to come outside when it was reported that she was suicidal and armed.

If convicted, Gentry faces a sentence of between two and 10 years in the Montana State Prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Although some details have been released and an internal shooting review board at the sheriff’s office ruled that Pleasants did not violate policy when he fired on Gentry, a full report on the shooting by the Kalispell Police Department has not yet been released.

Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset has declined to release the report, stating that it should come from the Flathead County Attorney’s Office.

Flathead County Attorney Ed Corrigan previously refused to release the report, saying no decision on its release would be made until Gentry was released from the state hospital. He later told the Inter Lake he would release a summarized version of the report following Gentry’s release.

Contacted Tuesday morning by the Inter Lake, Corrigan said he had no knowledge of Gentry’s status.

An hour later, when confronted with information about Gentry’s court appearance the previous day, Corrigan said he had learned about it only after talking to the Inter Lake’s reporter.

“That’s what I found out this morning after” being interviewed, he said.

Corrigan, however, again refused to release the report, saying that the holidays were coming up and he would be out of the office the following day, so nothing would be released yet this week, “but certainly next week.”

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