A Kalispell man is facing a felony charge after a Dec. 25 argument with a neighbor allegedly ended in a struggle over a shotgun.

Prosecutors brought Michael Eugene Long, 40, up on one count of assault with a weapon in Flathead County District Court following the confrontation on Mountain Meadow Road. Initially held in the county jail with bail set at $50,000, Long was released Jan. 9 after posting bond.  

He is expected to appear before Judge Paul Sullivan on Jan. 15 for his arraignment on the felony charge.  

The dispute grew out of an argument Long was having with a woman outside a neighbor's trailer before 9 a.m. on Christmas Day, according to court documents. Long left after the neighbor intervened in the disagreement but returned and knocked on the neighbor's door.  

When the neighbor opened it, he found Long aiming a shotgun at him, court documents said.  

The neighbor told responding Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies that he lunged at Long and wrestled the shotgun away from him. With the help of other people in his home, the neighbor also seized a sheathed knife and hatchet from Long, court documents said.  

The shotgun, knife and hatchet were turned over to deputies as evidence. Several witnesses corroborated much of the neighbor's testimony, but did not recall seeing Long aim the shotgun, according to court documents.  

Long's girlfriend was nearby during the scuffle, but allegedly told investigators she did not witness the struggle. 

During an interview with deputies, Long allegedly admitted to being banned from possessing a firearm by court order and said he was taking the shotgun to his cousin for safekeeping. He said he stopped nearby to look for his girlfriend and pass his condolences along to the neighbor over a death in the family, according to court documents.  

Long accused the neighbor of attacking him unprovoked, court documents said. He said he walked away and abandoned the shotgun, which he described as unloaded, when other people joined the fray. 

After questioning him, deputies arrested Long.  

If convicted, Long faces up to 20 years behind bars and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].