A Flathead County man pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon stemming from a May 7 incident near Marion. John Alexander Waller was arraigned in Flathead County District Court on Thursday, June 5.
According to court documents, on the night of May 7, Dustin Gibbs was camping near Murr Creek and South McGregor Lake Road when Waller and Claude Trusty approached his campsite. Waller was reportedly upset with Gibbs and wanted to talk to him. Waller allegedly walked up to Gibbs and took his Kimber .45 pistol and then shot at him with another gun. Gibbs said he ran away through the trees and called 911 while Waller continued to fire his weapon into the woods.
Waller says Gibbs had pulled his pistol out and threatened him. When Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found Waller with two loaded pistols.
Waller could face up to 20 years in prison or a maximum fine of $50,000. A trial has been set or Nov. 3.