Woman sustains gunshot wound

POLSON — Two arrests have been made following a weekend disturbance in Polson that left a 29-year-old woman hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the leg. Polson resident Michael Gardipe, Jr., 35, was arrested on the scene and charged with assault with a weapon, while Alisha McDanal, 34, is faced with intimidation charges for her role in the incident.

According to a press release issued by assistant police chief Clint Cottle, the drama unfolded when authorities responded to a reported disturbance on the 1000 block of 4th Street West at approximately 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Upon arrival at the scene, the release states that the victim, Veronica Partida, was found “laying outside of the apartment complex with severe injuries” and was rushed to a hospital. The injuries were not life-threatening, and Partida is in stable condition.

While on the scene, officers were informed that a firearm was involved in the incident, creating an unexpectedly tense and dangerous situation. Evacuations of neighboring apartments were initiated, while a perimeter was established around the unit where the suspects were presumed to be located. After making contact through a window, the suspects obeyed an order to exit the building and were arrested.

Polson Police chief Wade Nash said that an investigation into the matter is ongoing, and that his department is “still actively conducting interviews” to determine whether additional people may have been involved.

Anyone with information relevant to the case is asked to call the Polson Detectives Office at 406-883-7277.