Polson police respond to gun-related incidents

Polson Police responded to two unrelated firearm incidents in the past week and both suspects were apprehended and taken into custody, according to Polson Police Chief George Simpson.

In the first incident, which occurred last Wednesday, Feb. 21, at around 9 p.m., Polson officers were dispatched to a residence near First St. W. and Fifth Ave. W. for a domestic disturbance. While officers were investigating the matter, they determined that the armed suspect had left the residence. A description of the male and the vehicle he was driving were provided to dispatch.

After officers located the suspect’s vehicle in the area, a short pursuit ensued through the east side of Polson and on parts of U.S. Hwy. 93. A tire deflation device was deployed but was unsuccessful.

Simpson said that during the pursuit the driver discarded three firearms, which were recovered by officers. The driver eventually stopped in the 1500 block of Seventh St. E. and was taken into custody without further incident. No one was injured during the incident.

During their investigation, officers learned the suspect allegedly discharged a firearm inside a residence, prior to law enforcement’s arrival. 

The suspect, Harry Medland III, was arrested and transported to the Lake County Detention Center for assault with a weapon and fleeing/eluding law enforcement. Other felony charges are pending review by the Lake County attorney. He's currently being held on a $50,000 bond.

Simpson said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, CSKT Tribal Police, Montana Highway Patrol, and the Lake County Emergency Communications Center assisted with the vehicle pursuit and Medland’s arrest.

Simpson also confirms that a woman is in custody after a shooting at about 5:42 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in the parking lot of KwaTaqNuq Resort. Lucy Cluff-Smith, 25, allegedly fired two rounds into an unoccupied vehicle after an argument with the father of Cluff-Smith's children and unborn child, which occurred outside of the vehicle.

Cluff-Smith had gone to that location to continue confronting the father about alleged infidelities. The suspect fled the scene but was stopped in Pablo by a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy. Polson Police arrived shortly thereafter and brought Cluff-Smith to the Lake County Jail where she is facing two counts of felony assault with a weapon.

Her bond totals $100,000 between the two charges.

“We’re thankful that no one was hurt during this incident and beyond grateful that any further tragedy was prevented,” Simpson said. “This incident came to a quick and peaceful resolution with help from our partners at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.”