Standoff ends when armed woman is shot

A Columbia Falls-area woman was listed in critical condition at Kalispell Regional Medical Center Friday morning after she was shot Thursday evening during a standoff with law enforcement.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said the standoff with 54-year-old Michelle Gentry began at about 2 p.m. when his office received a report of an armed, suicidal woman on Eastland Crossing. 

Deputies contacted Gentry by phone and confirmed that she was both armed and suicidal.

She refused to leave her home, and negotiators were dispatched.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s SWAT team responded and established a perimeter at about 4 p.m. after negotiations were unsuccessful in convincing Gentry to come outside. Just prior to SWAT being dispatched, an ambulance was also called to the scene.

Around 6:30 p.m. Gentry, armed with a handgun, exited her home and advanced on SWAT team members. Curry said she brandished the weapon, but did not know whether or not she fired it.

“Honestly, we’re not sure at this point,” Curry said.

One of the SWAT deputies fired several times, striking her twice. Gentry was transported to the hospital where she is listed in critical condition.

Curry noted that no chemical agents, such as tear gas, were used to get Gentry to exit her home.

The Kalispell Police Department is conducting an investigation of the shooting.

The deputy who shot Gentry has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation.

According to a sheriff’s office dispatch log, Gentry was distraught over a fight with her daughter Wednesday night, during which she made suicidal comments about not living for her daughter anymore.