GREAT FALLS – On August 19th, police responded to the Highwood Mobile Home Park on the northeast side of Great Falls for a reported disturbance involving Charles A. Marcotte.
The Dispatch Center received a call at 6:48 p.m. about the disturbance; the caller said that the man had begged the caller to call police. The caller also reported that the man said, ‘When a cop come, he will shot (sic) himself.’ The call log indicates that Marcotte was armed with at least two pistols, and one “AR type rifle.”
Police negotiated with him for more than 30 minutes, trying to get him to put down his weapons. According to the Dispatch log:
- At 7:30, the man reportedly said that he had been in the 24/7 Sobriety program for about 10 years, and does not want to deal with 24/7 deputy any more.
- At 7:34, the dispatch log states that he holding the rifle and was crouched behind and barricaded behind a cooler.
- At 7:35, the dispatch log states: “GOT THE AR POKING OUT TOWARDS US”
- The next entry, several seconds later, states “SHOTS FIRE”
GFPD Chief David Bowen requested that the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) lead the inquiry into the incident, which is standard in such situations.
On Thursday, September 6th, the GFPD released the names and brief bio of the officers involved in the shooting:
- Master Police Officer Steve O’Brien: has served 21+ years with the Great Falls Police Department. He has been a Swing Shift Officer, Housing Authority Officer, Detective in the Investigation’s Bureau, and is a Field Training Officer. MPO O’Brien is currently assigned to the Patrol Bureau.
- Senior Police Officer Kaleb Larson: has served 3+ years with the Great Falls Police Department. SPO Larson was a former Cascade County Detention Officer. SPO Larson is currently assigned to the Patrol Bureau.
Senior Police Officer Adam Stergionis: has served 3 years with the Great Falls Police Department. SPO Stergionis was formerly a Cascade County Detention Officer, prior to his employment with the GFPD. SPO Stergionis holds a Bachelor’s Degree, and was a former intern with the GFPD. SPO Stergionis is currently assigned to the Patrol Bureau. - Police Officer Lance Souza: has been with the Great Falls Police Department since April, 2018. Officer Souza was previously a sworn deputy with the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to his employment with the CCSO, he was a sworn officer with the Casper Wyoming Police Department. Officer Souza holds a Bachelor’s Degree, is a certified firearm’s instructor and is a former 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Officer Souza is currently assigned to the Patrol Bureau.
The GFPD said in a press release that in accordance with GFPD protocol, “the four officers are still on administrative leave and are continuing to progress forward to re-engagement into their primary functions.”
The GFPD also noted that officers involved in traumatic events such as this are properly cared for, and says that the administrative leave status is not a disciplinary function in this matter.
There have been four shootings of suspects in Great Falls within the last 18 months. In April 2017, a knife-wielding suspect was shot and injured by an officer. In September 2017, Jordan Addison died after being shot by a GFPD officer. In December 2017, Stacy Micheletti was shot and killed by police after he reportedly brandished a gun.
AUGUST 19:Gun-wielding man shot and killed by police in Great Falls
AUGUST 20: 911 call log released from fatal shooting in Great Falls
Reporting by David Sherman for MTN News
