Teenager held for Halloween shooting in Kalispell

Authorities arrested a 14-year old boy on a pending attempted deliberate homicide charge following a Halloween shooting in Kalispell that left another teenager hospitalized. 

The gunfire occurred on the 400 block of South Meridian Road about 3:20 p.m., Oct. 31, according to Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio. He described the shooting as isolated and said he believed there was no further risk to the public. 

Officers temporarily blanketed the neighborhood as they processed the scene. A request for motorists to avoid the area was lifted about 8:30 p.m. 

The 16-year-old girl wounded in the shooting was undergoing surgery that evening, officials said. 

Owing to age, officials declined to identify the suspect. 

Venezio did not immediately respond to a call seeking more information about the shooting. 

Nearby residents described the shooting as a tragedy and out of the ordinary for the neighborhood, which includes an elementary school with an enjoining playground and park. They described the area as home to many retirees and children. 

But some said incidents of crime have increased in the area in recent years. Shannon Ginnaty said attempted break-ins have been on the rise. 

“When we first moved in, it was a great, awesome neighborhood,” she said. “There’s been a lot more crime that’s for sure.” 

Ginnaty said she watched as officers combed a nearby playground after the shooting. 

Ben Davis, who lives across the street from the site of the shooting, said he arrived home to find emergency responders in the neighborhood. He said his wife was home when first responders began arriving. 

“Just a bunch of paramedics showed up, a fire truck and cops,” he said. “Hard to tell what really happened but my wife seemed pretty distraught.” 

Authorities urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Chad Sweigart at 406-758-7780.