BILLINGS, MT — A 64-year-old Billings man was taken into custody Monday morning following a tense four-hour standoff with local law enforcement at a residence on North 25th Street.
David Dwelly, a resident of Billings, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, assault, obstructing a peace officer, resisting arrest, and felony criminal mischief. The incident began at approximately 7:30 a.m. when officers were called to a possible assault at a residence in the 700 block of North 25th Street.
According to the Billings Police Department, witnesses reported that two people had been assaulted and that the suspect, later identified as Dwelly, was threatening others. As officers arrived on the scene, Dwelly reportedly barricaded himself inside the residence and armed himself with a knife, refusing to cooperate with police demands.
In response to the escalating situation, the Billings Police Department (BPD) and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) SWAT team, along with negotiators, were called to the scene. Officers spent approximately three hours trying to negotiate with the suspect. Despite their efforts, Dwelly remained uncooperative, prompting the decision to deploy gas into the residence to flush him out.
Dwelly eventually exited the bathroom but continued to resist. A K9 unit was then deployed, and the suspect was taken into custody shortly after 11:30 a.m. He was evaluated by medical personnel at the scene before being transported for further processing.
The standoff, which lasted for several hours, raised concerns among local residents, though no additional injuries were reported. Authorities have confirmed that Dwelly’s arrest was made without further incident.
The Billings Police Department’s investigation into the initial assault is ongoing. Dwelly is currently facing multiple charges, and his case will be handled in the coming weeks. The quick and coordinated response from law enforcement, including the use of SWAT and K9 units, helped bring the standoff to a peaceful resolution.
