The Polson County Sheriff’s Office apprehended and incarcerated Rick Riebe after he barricaded himself inside a property and subsequently opened fire at law enforcement on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Sheriff Don Bell of Lake County said that as soon as officers arrived at the scene of what he called a “domestic violence incident” on Kerr Dam Road, the altercation began.
A relative reported the attack to 911 at about 6:45 p.m. after seeing the victim’s injuries, according to the news release. The victim was already outside the house when the crime occurred. When deputies arrived at the residence at around 7:30 p.m., they encountered 63-year-old Riebe, who allegedly threatened to shoot the cops. The sheriff’s office reported that the deputies were taken into custody.
Sheriff Bell said that over and over again, Riebe threatened to shoot police officers who were “attempting to de-escalate the situation.” Riebe remained threatening to shoot police as he locked himself inside the residence.
Sheriff Bell stated that Riebe had previously exited the residence armed with a shotgun, but that he had subsequently returned to the residence before continuing. Sheriff Bell said that Riebe “refused attempts to resolve the matter peacefully” when officers tried to communicate with him over the phone.
To lend a hand to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Flathead County Special Weapons and Tactics squad showed up at the scene at around 10:30 p.m. It was around 11:30 p.m.
when Sheriff Bell made a statement saying that “chemical agent munitions were deployed inside the residence to compel Riebe to exit the home.” The negotiations continued, but ultimately failed. What followed was Riebe opening fire with his shotgun and rifle on the officers; Sheriff Bell explained that the reason the police did not retaliate was because they were unsure of Riebe’s precise location. Just fifteen minutes after that, “and was subdued by a K9,” according to the news release, Riebe departed the residence.
The arrest and subsequent transfer of Riebe to the Lake County jail occurred as a result of an active warrant. In addition to the charges listed above, he is currently being held on accusations of criminal endangerment, assault on a spouse or family member, and assault on a law enforcement officer. Additional charges are also being examined as a result of the event, according to Sheriff Bell.
