Alleged Somers shooter free on $50,000 bond

A man suspected of going on a shooting rampage in Somers on Feb. 9 was released on a $50,000 bond on Thursday.

Christopher Michael Cassidy, 41, was charged with criminal endangerment and criminal manufacture of dangerous drugs, both felonies.

Cassidy pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday in Flathead District Court, and was released after posting bond the same day, a District Court official said.

Flathead County deputies responded to the 300 block of Somers Road shortly after midnight on Feb. 9. Officers saw a man, later identified as Cassidy, standing on the front porch with a rifle. The officers saw Cassidy fire shots in the direction of an electrical substation, which was 100 yards behind the officers, according to an affidavit in the court file.

Cassidy was seen repeatedly entering and exiting the residence and firing shots in an erratic fashion. The shots seemed to hit the substation, according to the affidavit, and were fired with a high-powered rifle, a smaller caliber rifle and a handgun.

Officers arrested Cassidy when he exited the home after tear gas was inserted into the home.

When officers entered the residence they found two handguns and two rifles, court records state.

Some 86 marijuana plants were found in the basement of the home, according to a Flathead County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Cassidy’s next hearing is scheduled for June 12. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 on each of the charges.

Cassidy’s attorney, Peter Leander, indiciated that he would file motions to separate the charges into two separate cases.