The Evergreen man who allegedly opened fire on police officers during a standoff in early 2025 received a combined 30-year sentence to the Montana State Prison last month.  

Prosecutors initially filed three counts of assault on a peace officer and a count each of assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment against 58-year-old Gary Gene Christianson in the wake of the alleged shootout on Valentine’s Day 2025. In May of that year, they amended the charges to include three counts of attempted deliberate homicide.   

Christianson maintained his innocence through multiple arraignments, but took a plea deal in February of this year. In exchange for no contest pleas to the three counts of assault on a peace officer, prosecutors agreed to recommend he receive a 10-year sentence for each. All three sentences were to run consecutively.  

Judge Heidi Ulbricht, who presided over the case, stuck to the terms of the deal at Christianson's May 22 sentencing. She gave him credit for 26 days of time served.  

The standoff on Swan Mountain Village Road began after neighbors reported seeing Christianson waving a gun around while yelling and screaming. They told emergency responders that Christianson had aimed the gun at them and at passing motorists, court documents said.  

When Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived about 9:42 p.m., Christianson walked onto a porch while yelling and cursing. He ignored directions to surrender to the authorities, court documents said.  

Christianson opened a rear door to the home about 10:30 p.m. only to bump into a trio of Kalispell Police officers who had taken up a position behind the house to cut off his escape route. Christianson ignored commands to surrender, ducked back into the house and reemerged with a handgun, according to court documents.  

He allegedly exchanged fire with the officers, but no one was injured. Several rounds struck nearby buildings, according to court documents.  

Authorities, including members of the regional SWAT team, attempted to subdue Christianson with gas, according to official accounts at the time. He was eventually taken into custody with the help of a K-9 unit, officials said. 

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.