Motorist accused of pulling out shotgun pleads no contest

A Kalispell man accused of pulling a shotgun on another motorist in September pleaded no contest to a felony criminal endangerment charge on Oct. 19.

Robert Allen Ellis, 65, initially pleaded not guilty in Flathead County District Court to an assault with a weapon charge. He reached a deal with prosecutors in mid-October that will see him potentially receive a deferred sentence in exchange for the no contest plea.

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ellis after a fellow motorist told authorities that a man leveled a shotgun at him in the parking lot of a Kalispell fast food restaurant, according to court documents. An alleged bout of road rage on Helena Flats Road preceded the incident.

According to court documents, a man later identified as Ellis followed the motorist to the fast food joint, hopped out of his vehicle and grabbed a shotgun before aiming it at the victim. He allegedly told the other driver to “go back to where he came from” before returning to his pickup and driving off.

A witness corroborated parts of the victim’s story and turned over a license plate number to authorities, who tracked the vehicle down to a home in Kalispell. Before arresting Ellis, deputies spotted a shotgun inside his parked truck.

Ellis allegedly told deputies that the victim nearly ran him off the road and he grabbed a shotgun during the confrontation out of concern the other motorist was going to “get tough.”

As per the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend Ellis receive a deferred three-year sentence. He will need to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendations.

Judge Amy Eddy accepted Ellis’ new plea, found him guilty and set sentencing for Dec. 1.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.