A man accused of attacking a mother with her children in a Kalispell parking lot last month remains behind bars with bail set at $250,000.  

Bradley Owen Shapiro, 52, faces felony counts of assault on a minor, aggravated assault and criminal endangerment in Flathead County District Court following his July 22 arrest near Teton Street. He is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman on Aug. 6 for his arraignment.  

The victim told arriving Kalispell Police officers that she was outside of her vehicle, holding her 11-month-old child while unbuckling her 2-year-old child, when a shirtless and shoeless Shapiro came up to her. He was holding his head with both of his hands and asking for help, which prompted her to back away, she said. She told officers she didn't want him near her children.  

Shapiro allegedly rushed the woman and shoved her into the vehicle, then grabbed for the child who was still buckled into a car seat, court documents said.  

The mother kicked at Shapiro to force him away, but he allegedly grabbed her by the throat. She dropped her 11-month-old child in the struggle, according to court documents. As she moved to block the younger child from Shapiro, he allegedly drove a thumb into her left eye. 

The woman later told investigators she thought she was going to die.  

Her 7-year-old son, meanwhile, sought help from her fiancé who was in a nearby apartment, court documents said. Arriving in the parking lot, he allegedly kicked Shapiro and told him to keep away. 

Neither the victim nor her fiancé had seen Shapiro before, they told investigators.  

Responding police officers arrested Shapiro, who told them he was suffering from a panic attack while coming off of benzodiazepine. Shapiro allegedly was in disbelief of what had occurred and repeatedly apologized, court documents said.  

Officers took Shapiro first to a medical facility for exams before ferrying him to the county jail.  

Investigators described the victim as suffering from cut marks below her reddened left eye, marks on her neck, a long red mark on her arm and four scratches on her back. There were several marks on the torso of her 2-year-old child from when they believe Shapiro grabbed at him, court documents said.  

Assault on a minor and aggravated assault are each punishable by up to 20 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. Criminal endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.