CF standoff

Police standoff ends peacefully

A Columbia Falls man surrendered to police Wednesday afternoon after police surrounded his home.

Gordon Howell told officers he had a gun and would shoot anyone who came near him, but no shots were fired.

The story began Tuesday night, when Howell reportedly mutilated himself at his home on Second Avenue East North.

Columbia Falls police responded and a Columbia Falls ambulance took him to North Valley Hospital.

On Wednesday, Howell reportedly called a taxi and left the hospital in his hospital gown, despite concerns about his mental health.

Officers went to his home and he threatened them, Columbia Falls Police Chief Dave Perry said.

He reportedly warned that he would hurt himself or others, activating a law-enforcement action for a "mental-health hold" which would take him into custody and lead him to medical care.

At first, Howell refused to leave his home.

Because he said he had a weapon and appeared to be disturbed, Columbia Falls police and Flathead County sheriff's deputies sealed off the block around his home while they negotiated with him.

At one point, he said he wanted to drive himself to the hospital. Sheriff's Sgt. Dave Leib rejected that proposal.

Officers watched the doorway to make sure he didn't rush out to the car and try to drive away. If he did, officers planned to trap his green Lincoln with their vehicles.

"If he's got a gun, we'll do what we have to do," Leib said.

As negotiations continued, Howell sat before a picture window in the home, watching the officers gathered outside. His porch lights remained on from the night before.

A neighbor in a sweatshirt walked out to see what was happening. Another went out to get her mail, but didn't linger on the street, where lights flashed on patrol cars. Drivers slowed to look.

Deputy Ernie Freebury, who was on vacation, and counselor Brooks Baer arrived to try to talk the man into coming out of his house.

It worked.

At 2 p.m., he emerged, wearing sweat pants, a shirt and a baseball hat. He limped over to Baer and Leib and reportedly was taken to a hospital.

Perry said Howell has no criminal history with his department.

"I don't think he's ever been charged," Perry said.

Howell is reportedly the father of a young man, Russell Howell, who was killed in a drunk-driving accident last year.

Perry was happy with the outcome of Wednesday's situation.

"Nobody's hurt," he said.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com