Suspect in C-Falls shooting allegedly targeted ex-girlfriend

A 22-year-old arrested after allegedly drunkenly firing an AR-15-style weapon into his ex-girlfriend’s Columbia Falls home earlier this month is facing a felony charge in Flathead County District Court. 

Prosecutors filed one count of assault with a weapon against Matthew Clark Burns following the alleged Oct. 25 shooting. Burns, who is being held in the county jail with bail set at $100,000, is expected to appear before Judge Amy Eddy on Nov. 16 for his arraignment. 

Columbia Falls Police officers responded to the Fourth Street home about 7:45 p.m. A resident, who initially chalked the noise of the gunshot to his washing machine blowing up, reported a bullet striking the home, court documents said.