Man dies by suicide in Kalispell's Woodland Park

A 58-year-old man died by suicide early Friday afternoon in Woodland Park despite efforts by local law enforcement agencies to intervene.

Early Friday afternoon, the Kalispell Police Department, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Kalispell Fire Department responded to a report of a person threatening suicide in Woodland Park. At about 12:30 p.m. a Kalispell police officer located the man inside a vehicle at the city park. The officer attempted contact and discovered the man was armed with a revolver, according to a Kalispell Police press release. Other Kalispell officers and sheriff’s deputies responded, set up a perimeter, and evacuated the park.

“An officer on scene spoke with the male, offered to get him help, and attempted to get him to seek help and not to harm himself,” the press release stated.

Kalispell Police’s Special Response Team and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team were requested.

Kalispell Police had issued a press statement as the incident was occurring, advising they had “an armed, barricaded male in Woodland Park” and asking the public to stay away from the area.

Kalispell Fire Department responded and staged nearby. While an officer was speaking with the man, he told the officer he was going to kill himself, but didn’t want to do it at that location. The man drove his vehicle over the curb and a short distance forward onto the grass and stopped. A short time later, officers heard a single gunshot from inside the vehicle, the press release said.

“Special Response Team officers arrived with an armored vehicle, approached the vehicle, and removed the man from the vehicle,” the release stated. Kalispell Fire paramedics began immediate lifesaving efforts that were unsuccessful.

An investigation will be conducted by the Montana State Division of Criminal Investigations.