Kalispell man accused of pulling a gun during argument gets pair of suspended sentences

A man accused of pulling a gun on several people in a Kalispell home last summer received a pair of suspended jail sentences in February.  

Prosecutors charged Tayo Ryan Hansen, 19, with counts of felony assault with a weapon and misdemeanor partner or family member assault in the wake of the Aug. 11, 2025, confrontation on Steven Road. Although maintaining his innocence at his September arraignment in Flathead County District Court, Hansen accepted a plea deal on Feb. 26.  

In exchange for guilty pleas to two counts of misdemeanor partner or family member assault, prosecutors agreed to recommend he undergo counseling and receive a suspended one-year jail sentence for each count.  

Judge Paul Sullivan, who presided over the case, handed down the sentence that same day. Sticking to the recommendations in the deal, Sullivan ordered the two sentences to run concurrently and gave Hansen credit for 25 days of time served.  

The disagreement that landed Hansen in court began at a birthday celebration at a bar on Aug. 11, according to court documents. When the revelers returned home, an allegedly drunk Hansen took a bat to a door and began pushing people around.  

When another individual intervened, Hansen ducked into a room and reemerged with a handgun, court documents said. 

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  

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.