(This story has been updated, 6:34 a.m. MDT, 02/04/2021)
LIVINGSTON — The Park County Sheriff's Office reported that the armed standoff with 49-year-old Michael Marfuta in Livingston came to an end late Wednesday night.
The Sheriff's Office said in a press release the standoff at the View Vista trailer court came to an end around 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Marfuta was wounded after shooting at law enforcement, according to the release. Park County Sheriff Brad Bichler said Marfuta "made the decision several times to try and shoot us" over the course of the standoff that began Tuesday afternoon.
“These types of incidents are rare but high risk to the subject, to Law Enforcement and to the public. I appreciate the communities support and understanding. It allowed us to use time to our advantage," Bichler said.
Marfuta was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was arrested on charges of assault with a weapon and obstructing a peace officer. The release said additional charges, including attempted homicide and criminal endangerment, are pending.
Hannah Cain, property manager at View Vista, said on Wednesday as the standoff continued that it’s been a stressful, scary experience.
“They locked us down [Tuesday] around 2 p.m. And we were locked in the trailer park, no one in or out. It was a little scary,” she said. “The sirens all the pops and different sounds that are happening in that situation. And you don’t know what’s going on.”
Court documents obtained by MTN show a history of legal disputes between Marfuta and the View Vista Community, with past due lease and utilities payments.
Court documents also include profanity-laced emails, from Marfuta to a lawyer involved in the case from July 2020 saying.
“You and everyone involved in this rat-f***** situation have now turned it into a death by cop or suicide by cop, however you want to define it, event.”
And: “I will know you are coming when you evacuate the park to deal with me.”
As well as: “I will make you kill me.”
Marfuta will have an initial appearance in Park County Justice Court when medically cleared.
Reporting by Gaby Krevat included in this report
