A Kalispell man is denying charges he punched two women and pointed a rifle at a man outside Columbia Falls last month.

Steven Donald Nichols, 25, is facing a felony assault with a weapon charge and two misdemeanor assault charges stemming from the incident on Nov. 12.

Nichols and three others had allegedly been drinking and were traveling in a vehicle together when an argument was sparked. Nichols, who was driving, reportedly stopped the car on North Fork Road and started a physical altercation with the male passenger, according to the police report.

Nichols and the two female passengers attempted to leave in the vehicle, but the vehicle allegedly got stuck in the snow. The male involved in the earlier altercation with Nichols allegedly approached the vehicle when he heard one of the female passengers screaming for help. As he attempted to approach the vehicle, he realized Nichols had a rifle pointed at him, so he walked away, according to the police report.

When law enforcement arrived on scene, one of the women reportedly had a deep gash on her face. She allegedly told law enforcement that Nichols had punched her in the face. The other woman told law enforcement Nichols had punched her several times and continued to hit her even after she was curled up on the ground trying to protect herself, according to the police report.

Nichols pleaded not guilty to the charges at Flathead District Court on Dec. 7 in front of Judge Robert B. Allison. A jury trial is currently set for May 29.

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or [email protected].