UPDATE: 8-20-2023, 8:40 a.m. - Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester released the following:
At approximately 3:00 AM on August 20th, Butte Police received a report of an intoxicated male who was allegedly armed with a firearm and threatening suicide. The individual was located inside an apartment on the 700 block of West Park Street in Butte.
In addition to the male, four other individuals were present in the apartment: an adult female, a 16-year-old female, an eight-year-old male, and an infant.
Upon arrival, officers observed the male standing on a landing outside the apartment. He was uncooperative and re-entered the residence, turning off all interior lights.
Butte SWAT was activated and responded to the scene. Butte Fire Rescue and A-1 Ambulance were also staged nearby as a precaution.
All other occupants of the apartment were able to exit safely. Nearby apartments were evacuated as a safety measure.
For over an hour, officers attempted to make contact with the male via loudspeaker from an armored vehicle, but received no response. SWAT officers then opened a door and made further unsuccessful attempts to engage with the individual.
Eventually, entry was made into the apartment, and the male was located hiding inside. He was taken into custody without further incident.
The 44-year-old Butte man is scheduled to undergo a mental health evaluation. Additional charges related to the incident may be forthcoming.
Traffic flow on Park Street has been restored. There is no ongoing threat to the public as a result of this incident.
UPDATE: 8-20-2025, 7:30 a.m. - According to Sheriff Ed Lester, the tactical operation on Park Street is now secure.
Officers will be clearing the scene shortly, and normal traffic will resume soon.
One male is in custody. There is no ongoing danger to the public as a result of this incident.
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BUTTE — Butte Police are involved in a tactical operation in the 700 block of West Park Street in Butte.
According to Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester, the public is advised to stay out of this area and the situation is ongoing.
Park Street is closed to traffic from the 400 block of West Park to the 800 block of West Park.
A SWAT team is engaged, and police are heavily armed and in tactical gear.
WATCH: Raw video from earlier this morning
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
