Kalispell woman suspected of shooting at ex-boyfriend and his friends

A Kalispell woman allegedly opened fire on her ex-boyfriend and his friends as they came to retrieve his belongings from her property in March.  

Erin Gail Gravelin, 45, is expected to appear before Judge Dan Wilson in Flathead County District Court on May 7 for her arraignment on a felony count of assault with a weapon. Held in the county jail on $75,000 bail following the alleged March 15 shooting, Gravelin posted bond March 20. 

Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies headed to Gravelin's U.S. 2 East property about 3:30 p.m. after a member of the group reported the 45-year-old confronted them with a gun, demanded they leave and opened fire as they ran away, according to court documents. Authorities found Gravelin still standing outside her home and arrested her, court documents said.  

During a sweep of the house, deputies spotted an unspent 9 mm round on the floor by Gravelin's front door, court documents alleged. Investigators also allegedly found two spent 9 mm casings melted into the fresh snow on and around the small front porch attached to Gravelin's trailer.  

But Gravelin told authorities that she confronted the group unarmed. She said she was afraid of her ex, who she accused of sending her threatening texts prior to the group showing up on her property, court documents alleged.  

Although she locked her door at first, she grew upset after realizing they were taking items from her shed, court documents said. She later emerged from behind the locked door with a pellet pistol, she said, according to court documents.  

Searching the property, deputies allegedly found a black BB gun in a box near the kitchen, but no other firearms turned up. But they did find a trail in the snow leading to a nearby camper that belonged to Gravelin's mother, according to court documents.  

Confronted with the 9 mm casings, Gravelin allegedly admitted to firing a handgun into the ground and then hiding it in her mother's home. Deputies recovered a silver 9 mm handgun from Gravelin's mother's home, court documents said.  

If convicted, Gravelin faces up to 20 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.