Man wielding a knife draws large police presence to Flathead courthouse
The Flathead County Sheriff's Office and Kalispell Police Department, working alongside security personnel inside Flathead County District Court, responded to a report of a man wielding a knife on the third floor of the Flathead County Justice Center on Tuesday, May 16. (Derrick Perkins/Daily Inter Lake)
First responders enter the lobby of the Flathead County Justice Center following reports of a man wielding a knife on the building's third floor. The man was later taken for medical and mental health evaluations, said Sheriff Brian Heino. (Derrick Perkins/Daily Inter Lake)
Kalispell Police officers depart the Flathead County Justice Center after responding to a man wielding a knife on the building's third floor, which hosts the Flathead County District Court. (Derrick Perkins/Daily Inter Lake)
The Flathead County Justice Center on South Main Street in Kalispell. (Derrick Perkins/Daily Inter Lake)
A man who brought a knife into the Flathead County Justice Center in Kalispell on Tuesday and held it to his throat is undergoing medical and mental health evaluations, officials confirmed.
The man entered the 920 S. Main St. building armed with the blade at about 2 p.m., Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino told the Inter Lake. The building houses the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office as well as Flathead County District Court.
The man was on the third floor, which is home to multiple district court courtrooms and related offices, and held the blade to his throat, Heino said. Court security raised the alarm and the Sheriff’s Office and Kalispell Police Department responded to the scene.
Authorities secured the building while negotiating with the individual, Heino said. Ultimately, they used a combination of a K-9 unit and less than lethal rounds to take the man into custody at about 3 p.m., he said.
Outside, multiple police vehicles and several Kalispell Fire Department vehicles lined the street-facing side of the building. One individual was seen being taken from the first floor lobby into an awaiting ambulance by stretcher.
Heino said the man lacked an obvious reason for being in the building that day. He was not listed to appear in district court.
Authorities are withholding the individual’s name for the time being.
Officials are reviewing the incident ahead of seeking criminal charges, Heino said.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.
