Woman Grabs Her Gun While Being Investigated by Missoula Police

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 4, 2022, at approximately 11:10 p.m., a Missoula Police Department officer observed a suspicious vehicle on the eastern side of One Eyed Jacks Casino on Reserve Street. The vehicle was parked in a spot that allowed for a quick exit. This area of parking also allows for concealment from normal routes of travel. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains. 

“An officer observed a vehicle parked in a location which has a history of vehicles and individuals being in the area for illicit narcotic activity and other crime,” Arnold said. “The officer noticed the lone vehicle and noticed the single occupant tried to hide themselves in the driver's seat when the patrol vehicle was in the area. At this time, the officer drove away. The officer noticed an additional vehicle enter the parking lot as he was leaving the area. The officer observed the vehicle was in violation of some vehicle equipment violations as outlined in the Montana Code Annotated.” 

Why the Vehicle Was Stopped

According to court documents, the vehicle did not have a front license plate and the officer initiated a traffic stop. The officer approached the passenger side of the vehicle and informed the driver of the reason for the stop. The driver then pointed to a license plate tucked in the front dashboard of the vehicle obstructed by the windshield wipers. The officer then requested license and registration information. 

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“During contact with the driver, the driver told the officer she had warrants for her arrest for obstructing a peace officer,” Arnold said. “The driver, Fallon Flynn, told the officer she had a handgun and pointed to the location of the gun. The office gave clear instructions to leave the gun where it was at. Flynn appeared to nod in acknowledgment of the officer’s instruction. The officer requested Flynn to step out of the vehicle and that he would take temporary possession of the weapon for everyone’s safety during the contact.” 

Flynn told the officer she was going to step out of the vehicle. Flynn turned as if she was going to exit the vehicle, then paused and looked back and forth between the officer and the gun. 

The Situation Escalates

“This went back and forth several times and Flynn made an abrupt movement with her right hand,” Arnold said. “The officer gave clear commands to leave the gun where it was at. Flynn disregarded the order, grabbed the gun, and began to move the barrel of the gun in the direction of the officer. The officer drew his firearm and gave commands to leave it. Flynn continued to disregard the officer’s command. The officer was under belief by the actions taken by Flynn that Flynn was going to use the gun against him.” 

According to Arnold, the officer pointed his gun at Flynn and ordered her to leave the weapon. Flynn then released the gun and placed it back on the center console. She put her hands in the air and said “sorry, sorry, sorry, oh no.” 

The officer composed himself and then read Flynn her Miranda rights. She agreed to speak with him. She said that “for some reason I had it in my head that you were going to say put it on the dash, but that doesn’t make any sense.” Flynn said she was nervous and “it's been a hell of a night.”  

Flynn said she had been going to the casino to see if there was any furniture outside of a furniture store in the area. She denied traveling there to buy drugs and denied consent to search her vehicle. Flynn was placed under arrest for assault on a peace officer and she was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. 

More Felony Charges Are Coming

At the detention center, Flynn removed a container from her person, opened it, and consumed a pill rapidly before she could be stopped by detention staff. The container had 29 pills remaining that were marked as M30s consistent with fentanyl pills. Flynn told the officer at the detention center that all of the pills were for personal use and said she could not recall when she bought them. 

Flynn is currently being charged with felony assault on a peace officer, felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and obstructing a peace officer. 

This case was filed directly into Missoula District Court and is being handled by the Montana Attorney General's Office. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.