Flathead SWAT team aids in armed standoff

A Lake County man is accused of brandishing a firearm that led to a brief armed stand-off with law enforcement. Gage Alexander Caye, 22, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson July 24 to felony charges of assault with a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted person, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

According to court records, on July 8 a woman contacted law enforcement to report Caye was at her residence on Bluebird Lane east of Ronan when Caye got into an argument with her and threatened to kill her with a shotgun. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded and immediately took one male into custody.

That person told law enforcement that Caye was armed with a rifle, pistol and body armor. According to the report, Caye initially refused to exit the garage of the residence, where he and several others were hiding.

Flathead County SWAT team assisted authorities in Lake County with the armed stand-off and Caye was eventually persuaded to surrender peacefully. Several other known drug users were also found hiding in the garage.

Caye allegedly admitted that he had a pistol when he confronted the woman who contacted law enforcement, but denied pointing it at her. Caye told investigators where he had stashed his firearm, which had an extended capacity magazine.

A search warrant was obtained to search the residence. Officers found a Glock 9 mm handgun with 15 rounds of ammo in the magazine where Caye said it would be. They also say they found shotgun shells and drug paraphernalia during the search.

Caye is registered as a violent offender for a robbery conviction in March 2019. He also had an active warrant for his arrest after absconding probation.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial Jan. 6, 2025. Caye remains in the Lake County Jail with bail totaling $225,000.