Shooter fired more than 20 times at Kalispell home; narrowly missed child, police say
Police found more than 20 bullet casings at the scene of a suspected drive-by shooting in Kalispell last week that injured one and left multiple residences riddled with bullet holes, according to new documents filed Thursday in Flathead County District Court.
The documents also allege that the late-night shooting was possibly motivated by revenge.
Columbia Falls resident Ansen Walter Ingraham, 18, was arrested Monday in connection with the crime. He is charged with two counts of felony assault with a weapon, and three counts of felony criminal endangerment. He is being held at the Flathead County Detention Center with bond set at $200,000. Each count of felony assault with a weapon is punishable by a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. The endangerment charges each carry the possibility of 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
According to an affidavit filed in court Thursday, Kalispell Police received a report of “shots fired” at 12:08 a.m. on Dec. 21 near Seventh Avenue West in Kalispell. It was later reported that two other residences on Sunnyside Drive and Ashley Creek Lane were shot multiple times.
Reportedly, a large SUV passed by and its occupants shot the homes, the court documents allege. Numerous bullet holes were found in the residences, as well as bullets, and more than 20 casings were found in the street. Based on the evidence, police suspect both a 9 mm and .45-caliber weapon were used in the crime.
A couple who lives in the targeted duplex on Seventh Avenue West told police that they woke up to the sound of gun shots and broken glass. Police reported that the duplex was sprayed with bullets, and that the couple was visibly shaken and scared following the incident.
A resident who was on the other side of the duplex at the time of the shooting told police he was nearly hit by the bullets.
Two other residences, on Sunnyside Drive and Ashley Creek Lane, each took fire as well. Both homes were occupied during the shooting, and police said one bullet passed through a wall a few feet from a sleeping child.
After speaking with witnesses, police learned that Ingraham had allegedly threatened a person who lives in the duplex over an ongoing dispute, telling that person that he would “get what was coming to him.”
Documents also state that during investigations police learned that another person possibly took part in the shooting.
Ingraham was arrested Monday at a home on West Cottonwood Drive in Evergreen.
In a media release, Kalispell Police reported that further arrests are anticipated in connection with the crime.