Ordeal in Hot Springs ends peacefully

HOT SPRINGS -- Local law enforcement responding to reports of shots fired and a possible hostage situation ended peacefully after a man was apprehended Thursday evening.

Justin Seely, 42, was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon, a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, after a three-hour ordeal at Wild Horse Hot Springs on Camp Aqua Road near the town of Hot Springs. The area is close to the border of Lake and Sanders Counties, but is in Lake County's jurisdiction, LCSO Det. Dan Yonkin said.

Sheriff's deputies from Lake and Sanders Counties and Tribal police responded to the call from Seely's mother around 4:30 p.m. The woman, also the operator of the hot spring resort, reported that her son, Justin, fired three shots near his sister, who was in a different residence. All three live on the property but in different housing units. She reported that six guests were soaking in the bathhouse and that they were unaware of the situation.

Dozens of officers, approximately 25, from surrounding areas responded to the scene, waiting to determine how to apprehend the suspect. The Lake County Special Response Team was called as well, and shortly after 7 p.m., the suspect exited his fifth wheel camper and was taken into custody without incident. No one was injured and officers recovered a .22 caliber rifle. Seely was severely intoxicated at the time of the incident and arrest, police said.

Seely appeared Friday afternoon in Judge Chuck Wall's Justice Court and is now held on $20,000 bond. He has several active warrants, assistant county attorney Mark Russell said, and will have to pay those fines, in addition to the new bond, in order to be released.

Russell said Thursday's incident resulted from an argument between Justin and his sister about truck keys. His sister locked herself in her residence and hid behind a fireplace while Justin allegedly retrieved his weapon and fired three shots through the door. Russell said Justin allegedly claimed "the next one's going in your neck." He then retreated to his camper and law enforcement was contacted.

Seely also has a partner or family member assault conviction from January, Russell said, related to an altercation with his girlfriend. Part of Seely's sentence from the assault included no drinking or bars for six months, a stipulation he violated Thursday, Wall said.

Russell outlined Seely's other prior convictions from Washington and Montana, which include two DUIs, third degree assault, owning or possessing a dangerous weapon and probation violation.

Wall said Seely will be seen in district court within the next few weeks as he faces a felony charge.