(UPDATE, 2:47 pm) The Bozeman Police Department has released more details of an overnight armed standoff that ended with the suspect's arrest early Wednesday.
BPD said in a news release that officers responded to reports of a man brandishing a firearm on West Lamme Street shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Witnesses said they saw the suspect take an AR-style rifle from his vehicle during an argument over parking.
The suspect, identified as Seth Ryan Gomez, had left the area as officers responded. According to the release, witnesses said Gomez became increasingly confrontational during the argument, which led to him retrieving the rifle. Officers issued an "Attempt to Locate" after confirming Gomez was not at his residence.
The release says that shortly after 9 p.m., officers were informed that Gomez was back at his residence in the 900 block of West Lamme Street. Bozeman Police and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team established a perimeter around Gomez's residence.
A SWAT team out of Helena was also called in to assist.
Gomez was repeatedly given instructions to surrender throughout the standoff as it continued into Wednesday morning. The release says officers eventually deployed tear gas and took Gomez into custody shortly after 7 a.m.
Gomez faces four felony counts of assault with a weapon. He is being held without bond at the Gallatin County Detention Center pending a court appearance.
UPDATE, 7:10 AM — The Bozeman Police Department said on social media the man who had barricaded himself with a rifle inside a Bozeman residence is in custody and there is no active threat.
We will update you if we get more information.
UPDATE, 6:45 AM — The Bozeman Police Department says roads around 9th and Lamme remain closed; 11th Avenue is open, however, and bus transfers for BSD7 schools will operate on their normal schedule.
The police department says schools will open at their usual times, and there will be an increased police presence around Bozeman High School. The school district will be in further contact with parents via email, according to police.
EARLIER REPORT:
BOZEMAN — Law enforcement has been involved in a standoff with an armed man in the area of 9th and Lamme in Bozeman since around 11 p.m. Tuesday night.
As of 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, the Bozeman Police Department says the scene is still active and a shelter-in-place order is in effect for residents within a block of the scene.
Tuesday night, police said a man with a rifle had barricaded himself in the residence, and those closest to the scene had been evacuated.
The Lewis & Clark County/Helena PD SWAT team is on scene Wednesday morning for additional support, according to Bozeman Police.
The residents under the shelter-in-place were notified via a reverse 911 call last night; they are asked to avoid windows until further notice.
The public is asked to avoid the area.
No further details are currently available. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
