Alleged gunplay at U.S. 2 intersection leads to arrest

A 22-year-old faces a felony charge in Flathead County District Court after allegedly leveling a pistol at another motorist while the two were stopped next to each other at a U.S. 2 intersection last week.

Prosecutors brought Austin Thomas Gomon up on one count of assault with a weapon after deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office arrested him in Kalispell on Oct. 5. He is expected to appear before Judge Robert Allison on Nov. 2 for his arraignment.

Gomon remains in the county jail with bail set at $50,000.

Authorities began searching for Gomon following a 911 call about 1:20 p.m., Oct. 5, according to court documents. The victim told investigators that he was headed along U.S. 2 East when a red Ford Mustang passed him and then cut him off. The two vehicles ended up stopping alongside one another at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Rose Crossing.

That’s when the driver of the Mustang, later identified as Gomon, allegedly drew a black pistol and pointed it at the victim. Gomon held the weapon at the victim for between five and 10 seconds, the victim estimated, according to court documents.

The victim provided the Mustang’s license plate information to authorities and deputies came across the muscle car near West Reserve Drive and Country Way in Kalispell, court documents said. Pulling it over, deputies spotted a semi automatic Beretta pistol next to the driver’s seat, according to court documents.

After seizing the firearm, deputies arrested Gomon, court documents said.

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