GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A three-hour standoff in a Great Falls neighborhood ended with an arrest as police investigated an early morning stabbing.
Officers moved in on a suspect inside a home in the 400 block of 10th Street North. The Central Montana High Risk Unit used flash bangs and tactical maneuvers before taking that person into custody.
Nearby residents watched the scene unfold as police cleared the area around the house.
"They had this thing completely surrounded. They evacuated the area," said William Johnson.
One neighbor said the situation felt uncertain as police worked around the home.
"I didn’t know if the guy was armed or what. So, I told my wife to get down because we didn’t know what was going on," said Bob Callaghan.
Police confirmed the person arrested at the house was the third suspect taken into custody in connection with the stabbing near Central Avenue and 7th Street. Patrol Captain Doug Otto said the person hurt in the stabbing was taken to the Benefis Health System Emergency Department for care.
Otto said the plan officers used during the standoff led to a surrender.
"He decided it was time to come out. He came out and surrendered. We took him into custody for the continuance of the investigation," said Doug Otto.
Residents in the neighborhood said they appreciated how officers handled the response.
"I’m really impressed with our local police department and how they handled the situation. It makes me feel safe living in this neighborhood now that they were on it so quick and they were able to figure it out," said Johnson.
The standoff grew out of the stabbing investigation and ended with the neighborhood beginning to return to normal.