HAMILTON — A Hamilton man is being accused of threatening a mass shooting in Ravalli County.
Prosecutors state in court documents that on May 23, Wesley Dee Martin, 59, “created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to others by brandishing and/or firing a firearm in the presence of uniformed law enforcement officers while in a residential neighborhood.”
According to court documents, Martin’s sister reported that she received a phone call from Martin in which he said he “was going to a crowded market where he could shoot someone.”
The Hamilton Police Department, the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office and the Montana Highway Patrol went to Martin’s home and eventually were able to talk with him over the phone.
Martin would not leave the residence and law enforcement observed him going onto his back porch brandishing a handgun, according to court documents. Martin refused orders to drop the gun and instead went back inside the home.
Gunshots were then heard apparently coming from coming inside the residence.
Prosecutors say that Martin came back onto the porch where he was approached by law enforcement. He is accused of refusing to follow commands from law enforcement and had to be taken into custody with the assistance of a taser.
A search warrant of Martin’s residence did not turn up any evidence that shots had been fired in the home.
Martin is being charged with felony intimidation and felony criminal endangerment.
