Man threatens woman with knife, gets punched out

A man accused of threatening a woman with a knife at an area store got more than he bargained when a customer punched the assailant and knocked him out.

Eric Paul Evans, 47, is lodged in the Flathead County Jail on one count of felony assault with a weapon after an incident Nov. 17 at a convenience store in Kalispell.

According to the charging documents, Kalispell Police officers responded to the store where they found the victim, a woman, standing outside and Evans lying on the floor inside.

The woman said Evans was harassing customers and asking for rides. When she asked him to leave, he did.

He allegedly returned, became aggressive and pointed a knife at the woman as he looked through the window of the store and said “I will (expletive) kill you!”

The woman said she asked Evans to leave, but he allegedly walked into the store and again allegedly threatened to kill her. She said she was terrified.

A customer who was inside the store hit Evans and knocked him out.

Officers identified the man as Evans and found a knife in his pocket.

Evans has a bail reduction hearing Tuesday, Dec. 3. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. He is jailed on $15,000 bail.

Evans faces a maximum of 20 years in the Montana State Prison.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.