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K9 units used to apprehend shooter on Columbia Falls Stage Road

MATT BALDWIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 8 months AGO
by MATT BALDWIN
Hagadone Media Montana REGIONAL MANAGING EDITOR Matt Baldwin is the regional editor for Hagadone Media Montana, where he helps guide coverage across eight newspapers throughout Northwest Montana. Under his leadership, the Daily Inter Lake received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Sam Gilluly Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. A graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism, Baldwin has called Montana home for nearly 30 years. He and his wife, Sadie, have three daughters. He can be reached at 406‑758‑4447 or [email protected]. IMPACT: Baldwin’s work helps ensure Northwest Montana residents stay connected to their communities and informed about the issues that shape their everyday lives. | September 11, 2024 12:00 AM

A Flathead County K9 unit was used to apprehend a suspect involved in a standoff early Wednesday, Sept. 4 after he allegedly shot at multiple people and the Two Bear Air helicopter.

According to a press release from Sheriff Brian Heino, 56-year-old Travis Myers was taken into custody during the incident on Sullivan Crossroad near Columbia Falls Stage Road. 

A Daily Inter Lake delivery driver first alerted law enforcement at approximately 2 a.m., after seeing a green laser aimed at them and hearing gunshots from a nearby field. The driver believed they were being shot at and called 911. 

Another person called 911 who sounded like they were in distress and was heard pleading with someone to put down their gun. When the deputies arrived at the scene, they heard gunfire coming from the home. 

After driving away from the home, the victim told deputies on the scene that Myers had shot at them, the release stated.

Heino said rapid gunfire continued to ring out from the home, along with a green laser being pointed around the area. 

Due to the escalating scenario, a drone was used to assess the scene, but Myers allegedly shot it down. 

The Northwest Montana Regional SWAT team and Two Bear Air were called to the scene as gunfire continued, with Myers allegedly pointing the laser at various targets and shooting at the helicopter. 

Heino said a SWAT team engaged Myers while he was in the home's doorway with a rifle at his feet. Less-lethal munitions were used after Myers allegedly refused to surrender, but he remained uncooperative, Heino said. 

The standoff finally ended after the Sheriff's Office K9 unit successfully apprehended Myers, who was taken into custody without further incident. 

“The combined efforts of the Northwest Montana Regional SWAT team, the K9 unit, and all responding agencies ensured that the standoff ended peacefully, with no injuries to innocent bystanders, victims, officers or medical personnel," Heino stated in the media release. 




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