Friday, June 06, 2025
57.0°F

Alleged assault sets off 5-hour manhunt

Mary Cloud Taylor Daily Inter Lake | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years AGO
by Mary Cloud Taylor Daily Inter Lake
| May 23, 2017 12:47 PM

A five-hour manhunt involving three different agencies ended with the suspect, a Columbia Falls man, being handed over by his father at the Columbia Falls Police station early Tuesday morning.

After allegedly threatening multiple family members with a knife and injuring one, Wayne Armstrong, 28, reportedly ran out the back door of the Columbia Falls residence before authorities arrived, according to Columbia Falls Police Chief Clint Peters.

According to Peters, the injured victim did not require hospitalization.

Officers responded to the report of a physical disturbance at 10 p.m. Monday night, and called on the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Two Bear Air for assistance in apprehending Armstrong once they discovered he had fled.

Five hours later, after an extensive air and ground search, Peters said Armstrong was delivered to the station by his father at 3:30 a.m.

“All that searching, and then he was brought to our back door,” Peters said.

Armstrong is currently being held at the Flathead County Detention Center pending felony charges.

Peters said he expects Armstrong will be charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.

MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Alleged assault sets off 5-hour manhunt
Bigfork Eagle | Updated 8 years ago
Man denies knife assault on family member
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 7 years, 11 months ago
Man denies knife assault on family member
Bigfork Eagle | Updated 7 years, 11 months ago

ARTICLES BY MARY CLOUD TAYLOR DAILY INTER LAKE

January 21, 2018 5:26 p.m.

No headline

Tanner Coker started coughing in late August as smoke from the region’s wildfires settled into the Flathead Valley.

January 28, 2018 5:27 p.m.

No headline

By day, 66-year-old EMS Manager Dick Sine occupies an office at the Flathead County Office of Emergency Services, juggling papers and making calls to ensure each ambulance and paramedic in the county operates efficiently and legally.

February 17, 2019 1 a.m.

No headline

A table cluttered with bright feathers, sparkling thread and barbed hooks sets the stage for welcome relief to the military veterans gathered around for their weekly fly-tying lesson.