Alleged shooter arrested for assault

The Daily Inter Lake

Columbia Falls police arrested a Columbia Falls man who allegedly attempted to shoot his wife Tuesday afternoon.

Officers arrested Gary Hestig, 37, on charges of partner/family member assault and assault with a weapon, after he reportedly fired a handgun at his wife. Police Chief David Perry declined to name the victim, who is 36 years old.

The initial report of a female who'd been shot came in at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Witnesses said they'd heard a gun shot, and when officers arrived on scene, Hestig said he'd shot his wife, Perry said.

She had left their Fourth Avenue East residence before officers arrived. When she returned about 45 minutes later, she said she hadn't been shot, Perry said.

The incident, which stemmed from a domestic dispute, is under investigation.