Two arrested in shooting incident at UGF Villa apartments
Posted: Mar 10, 2010 9:33 AM
Updated: Mar 10, 2010 1:58 PM
Two men are in custody this morning after an alleged shooting at a University of Great Falls apartment complex.
The two individuals, ages 16 and 20, are charged with assault with a weapon.
It happened in the Villa Complex just off of 10th Avenue South on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities say that a fight was sparked by a road-rage incident involving a Ford Aerostar van and a white sedan.
The UGF student behind the wheel of the sedan was reportedly on his way to the Villa to visit friends. The van allegedly followed him, and two individuals from the van proceeded to smash out windows of the car with a hammer and a tire iron.
Police say a gun was brandished, and UGF officials say that at least one shot was fired with a bullet striking one of university's apartment buildings.
No students were injured, but heightened security measures are now in place.
Great Falls police are investigating an afternoon shooting involving unknown suspects and students from the University of Great Falls.
The incident reportedly started on 10th Avenue South when someone in a blue van began harassing a group of students in a white sedan. The students were apparently on their way to visit friends at the Villa Housing Complex located near 9th Avenue South and 18th Street.
When they arrived, the incident reportedly escalated. At least one person from the blue van started beating on the student's car with an unknown tool, according to reports. It was then that at least one shot was fired, hitting one of university's apartment buildings.
School officials say none of their students were injured, but heightened security measures have been implemented, UGF director of marketing Kristi Golik said.
"We are going to, at this point, actually move the students out of the Villa apartments to a different location to house them at this point. We're going to beef up our security, bring on additional security guards and increase our patrols," Golik said.
Just 19 students will be affected by the temporary move because UGF students are on spring break, Golik said. It's not yet known where they will be housed and how long they will stay out of the Villa.
Police have not released any details surrounding the blue van or any potential suspects.
