Sept. 10 – The man accused of shooting at a Two Bear Air helicopter during a confrontation last week faces multiple felony charges in Flathead County District Court.
Prosecutors on Friday charged Travis Kurt Myers, 56, with two felony counts of assault with a weapon and one count of criminal harassment. Myers is being held in the county jail on $150,000 bail and is scheduled to appear before Judge Dan Wilson on Sept. 19 for his arraignment.
In the charging documents, prosecutors alleged that in the early morning hours of Sept. 4, Myers pointed a gun at two women near a home on Sullivan Crossroad, near Columbia Falls Stage Road, and told them to leave the property. He later shot one of the women in the feet, the court documents said.
After fleeing in a vehicle, the two told Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies that Myers pointed the gun at the face of one of the women and the chest of the other before opening fire, court documents said.
Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls during the standoff, which occurred around 2 a.m., including one from a Daily Inter Lake delivery driver. The driver reported hearing gunshots and seeing a green laser pointed at them.
Sheriff Brian Heino told reporters last week that arriving officers also heard gunshots and saw a green laser being aimed around the area. Authorities deployed a drone, which reportedly drew fire from Myers. Officials also called in the Northwest Montana Regional SWAT team and Two Bear Air to assist in the standoff.
According to court documents, Myers fired more than 11 shots after officers arrived, including at least two shots aimed at the Two Bear Air helicopter.
A K9 unit from the sheriff’s office shot Myers after SWAT team members unsuccessfully used less-lethal munitions in an attempt to subdue him, authorities said.
Assault with a weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Criminal endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.
