Sentencing deferred after woman admits to firing weapon

The imposition of sentencing was deferred three years in District Court in Polson Dec. 11 for a Ronan woman who admitted to firing a weapon out of anger over a failed relationship.

Lucy Laryn Smith-Cluff, 26, pled guilty to the amended charge of felony criminal endangerment during a hearing Sept. 18. The plea was entered as part of an agreement that amended one count of assault with a weapon to criminal endangerment and dismissed a second count of assault with a weapon.

According to court records, on Feb. 24, Polson Police were dispatched to the parking lot of the Kwataqnuk Resort in Polson on a weapons complaint. At the scene, security staff of the resort led the responding officers to a man and woman, identified only by their initials, who indicated they were the victims of the complaint.

The man, W.D., stated Smith-Cluff had followed them to the resort and drove through landscaping in an effort to cut the pair off in the parking lot. He said she was upset because he did not want to be with her anymore.

Video surveillance at the resort shows Smith-Cluff firing two rounds into the hatchback of the vehicle W.D. had driven there. W.D. and the woman, K.F., are seen ducking in the video when the shots were fired.

Officers documented two bullet holes in the hatch of the car, with one lodged into the back seat. Smith-Cluff then fled south to Pablo where she was stopped by a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy and detained.

While en route back to the Lake County Jail, Smith-Cluff allegedly admitted to law enforcement to firing the two shots at W.D. and K.F.

During the change of plea hearing in September, Smith-Cluff pled guilty to firing one shot into the bumper of the car.

Smith-Cluff’s attorney, Dwight J. Schulte of Missoula, told the court that the event had a “silver lining,” as the incident signaled a “remarkable catalyst for change.”

Judge Molly Owen agreed and commended Smith-Cluff for her behavior in taking responsibility for her actions. Smith-Cluff agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $1,034.99 for damage to the car.