Flathead County deputies arrested a Kalispell man Friday night after he allegedly opened fire on a sheriff’s vehicle south of town.
Bryson Connelly, 19, is initially charged with attempted deliberate homicide.
Deputies responded to a report of a weapons disturbance Friday afternoon on Patrick Creek Road. At about 7 p.m., after searching the area for several hours, a deputy in a marked vehicle located the suspect, who was traveling with a female passenger northbound on Airport Road, and attempted to pull him over.
Instead, the driver hit a dead end on Kacu Lane and drove into a nearby field. He then pulled over, exited the driver’s side of the car and opened fire on the deputy’s vehicle with a high-powered rifle, according to the sheriff’s report. Several rounds struck the deputy’s vehicle, penetrating the windshield and hood, as the deputy rapidly backed away from the assailant. The deputy, who suffered minor injuries from flying glass, was unable to return fire.
Connelly then allegedly fled on foot and a manhunt, that included deputies, the SWAT team, Kalispell Police and the Montana Highway Patrol, ensued. Connelly was apprehended and taken into custody without incident at about 11:30 p.m. when he approached a residence in the area. The weapon used in the shooting was also recovered in the area.
The female riding with Connelly was located Saturday. Her name is being withheld pending further investigation and possible charges.