Gunfire Reported in Great Falls Leads to Adult Arrested and Juvenile Charged

On Tuesday, April 21st, at approximately 12:05 AM, 911 dispatchers received several reports from community members near 33rd St N and 2nd Ave N, who heard gunfire outside their homes. Officers responded to the scene and found shell casings about a block away, but no vehicles or individuals were present. They reviewed surveillance footage from multiple residents and interviewed several neighbors. The video confirmed that approximately eight rounds were fired before a light-colored passenger car fled the area.

About an hour and a half later, at 1:30 AM, officers were dispatched to a business in the 1400 block of 10th Ave S in response to a disturbance. The caller reported that a male and female in a light-colored vehicle were involved in a physical altercation. The vehicle left the scene just before the officers arrived, but with the caller’s assistance, officers located the car a short distance away and conducted a traffic stop.

The vehicle was occupied by several individuals, including 22-year-old Ethan Hathway and a 17-year-old male juvenile. Both Hathway and the juvenile were found to be in possession of handguns. Ammunition matching that found earlier near 33rd St N and 2nd Ave N was also discovered in the vehicle.

The 17-year-old was cited for operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02% or greater while under 21 years of age, careless driving, and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence, all misdemeanors. He was later released to his parents.

Hathway was arrested and taken to the Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office jail, where he was charged with negligent endangerment for engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, as well as for the unlawful discharge of a weapon within the city limits of Great Falls, misdemeanors.