Man arrested after standoff at Polson trailer court

Authorities arrested a man Wednesday night following an armed standoff at Bellevue Trailer Court along U.S. Highway 93 in Polson.

Lake County dispatch received a call at approximately 6:30 p.m. from a woman claiming to be held against her will by a male at one of the park’s trailers, according to a Polson Police Department press release. The woman told dispatchers her alleged captor was armed and had fired several rounds inside the trailer.

Dispatch also received reports from other Bellevue residents of shots being fired.

Officers established a perimeter around the trailer and attempted to talk with Edward Hardy, 63, inside the trailer as they began evacuating nearby residences.

Officers could hear Hardy barricading the doors and windows. Telephone contact was made with the inside occupants and an officer was able to negotiate the release of the female, who was subsequently examined by medical personnel. Hardy then began setting debris on fire and throwing it out the window of the trailer.

The Northwest Montana Regional SWAT Team and Kalispell Special Response Team came down to assist with the situation. Also responding were the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol and the Flathead Tribal Police.

Just as the SWAT Team was about to make contact, Hardy crawled through a window and tried to escape by getting into his vehicle. Hardy was taken into custody after being tased by an officer.

A search of Hardy’s residence revealed firearms, a cache of ammo and numerous other weapons strategically placed throughout the trailer, according to the PPD press release.

Hardy was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail for criminal endangerment, aggravated assault with a weapon, resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer or public servant, and kidnapping. He was still being detained as of Tuesday morning.

Authorities reported no one was seriously injured in the incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

“This was the best-case scenario as nobody was seriously hurt during this incident and the hostage was released,” Polson Chief of Police Wade Nash said. “This was still a psychologically tragic event, but could have been far worse if it was not for the cooperation of the residents in Bellevue and the joint effort by every public safety team involved.”