After North Fork gun incident, Columbia Falls man behind bars

By SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER

For the Hungry Horse News

A Columbia Falls man is behind bars after a dispute during a family outing led to a shooting Sunday evening on the North Fork Road near Moose Lake.

According to Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry, Justin Neil Barnett, 32, is facing two counts of assault with a weapon after he allegedly fired a gun at his girlfriend and into an occupied car at the scene. Barnett was lodged in the Flathead County Jail on Tuesday.

Curry said the argument, which involved Barnett, the girlfriend and her brother, began when a child of the girlfriend cut his foot while fishing. She wanted to take the child into town for medical care, but Barnett reportedly didn’t think it was necessary.

During the ensuing argument, Barnett allegedly fired a 10 mm Glock handgun at his girlfriend and into the hood of her car while someone was inside it.

Barnett was later pulled over and arrested by sheriff’s deputies.

Curry said he believed alcohol was a factor in the incident.