Man charged after alleged threat with bat

A Columbia Falls man was taken into custody Monday night after he allegedly threatened people with a baseball bat at a home south of Kalispell in the Lower Valley area.

According to Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry, Ronald Lindsay, 33, is facing charges of assault with a weapon, partner family member assault and obstructing a peace officer.

In a media release, Curry said deputies were dispatched to the home after a 911 call came in at 10:28 p.m. Dispatchers reported they could hear a disturbance in the background.

Deputies were able to make contact with the victims and found Lindsay had allegedly threatened people inside the home with a baseball bat. According to Curry, deputies attempted to negotiate with Lindsay, but he refused to come out of the home, barricading himself inside.

Flathead County SWAT was dispatched to the scene, and following negotiations pepper spray was deployed into the home, which caused Lindsay to come out. He was taken into custody without incident, Curry said.

Lindsay is currently being held at the Flathead County Detention Center. The incident remains under investigation by the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.