Man accused of shooting at helicopter facing multiple felonies
Travis Kurt Myers. (Photo courtesy the Flathead County Sheriff's Office)
The man accused of shooting at a Two Bear Air helicopter during a standoff last week faces multiple felony charges in Flathead County District Court.
Prosecutors on Friday charged Travis Kurt Myers, 56, with two felony counts of assault with a weapon and one count of criminal endangerment. Held in the county jail with bail set at $150,000, Myers is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson on Sept. 19 for his arraignment.
In the charging documents, prosecutors alleged that Myers aimed a gun at two women near a Sullivan Crossroad home near Columbia Falls Stage Road in the early morning hours of Sept. 4, telling them to leave the property. He later shot at the feet of one of the women, court documents said.
After escaping in a vehicle, the pair told Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies that Myers pointed the weapon at the face of one of the women and the chest of the other before opening fire, according to court documents.
Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls during the confrontation, which occurred about 2 a.m., including from a Daily Inter Lake delivery driver. The driver reported hearing shots and seeing a green laser aimed at them.
Sheriff Brian Heino told reporters last week that arriving deputies also heard gunshots and spotted a green laser being pointed around the area. Authorities deployed a drone, which allegedly drew fire from Myers. Officials also called in the Northwest Montana Regional SWAT team and Two Bear Air to assist in the standoff.
Myers fired over 11 rounds after deputies arrived, according to court documents, including at least two at the Two Bear Air helicopter.
A Sheriff's Office K9 unit took Myers down after SWAT team members unsuccessfully used less-than-lethal munitions to try and subdue him, authorities said.
Assault with a weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Criminal endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.