David Martel, the man who allegedly shot a person in Great Falls on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, made his initial court appearance via video on Wednesday afternoon.
Court documents released on Wednesday state that Martel called dispatch and said that he shot a man, stating that he did it because the man "came at him."
When police officers arrived at the residence, they heard the victim yelling for help and saying that he had been shot.
Martel reportedly immediately told officers, "I am the one who shot him."
According to court documents, Martel said that he frequently sat in a chair in the living room with a pistol tucked in the chair, waiting for the victim to "cross" an imaginary line.
During Tuesday's incident, Martel indicated that the man had crossed the line, at which point he shot the man.
The court documents state that officers saw what appeared to be a gunshot wound near the bottom of the victim's rib cage.
The victim's medical condition was detailed by a physician in the emergency department at Benefis Health System, who said the victim sustained severe, life-threatening injuries to his liver and spine and that the injuries could cause paralysis from the waist down.
The court documents state the victim lived in the basement of the residence, which is owned by a woman who is in a dating relationship with Martel.
Prosecutors had recommended that Martel be released on recognizance with no bail, but District Court Judge David Grubich did not agree.
Grubich said, “Under the circumstances, I’m not going to follow the state's recommendation, considering the allegations here. I’m going to set your bond at $100,000, I’m going to order that you stay 1,500 feet away from the victim, and that you have GPS (ankle monitor) applied prior to your release at your own expense.”
The Cascade County Detention Center roster says that Martel is being held on a charge of deliberate homicide.
However, KRTV contacted the County Attorney, who said that as of 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, the victim is still alive. He did not offer an explanation for the discrepancy.
We will update you as we get more information.
(JANUARY 14, 2025) David Martel, 71 years old, is facing a felony charge of attempted deliberate homicide in Great Falls after he allegedly shot a person.
The Great Falls Police Department said in a news release that 911 dispatchers received a call at about 3:40 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, about a “family disturbance” along the 1700 block of Second Avenue North.
Responding police officers found that one person had been shot.
Great Falls Fire Rescue and Great Falls Emergency Services rendered aid and the injured person was taken to Benefis Health System hospital.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the person is in critical but stable condition.
Officers and detectives spent several hours at the residence processing the crime scene, which has now been released back to the residents.
The GFPD says that Martel and the victim are known to each other and, although there were other people inside the residence at the time of the shooting, there were no other injuries and there is no threat to the public.
No other details have been released at this point.
We will update you if we get more information.
