The Great Falls Police Department is investigating what it called a juvenile disturbance near 10th Avenue South and 18th Street South on Nov. 3.

There’s a large police presence in the area, which is the vicinity of the Phoenix Apartments.

Two people were transported to the hospital for a possible gunshot wound and a possible stab wound, according to GFPS.

Pherigo sentencing delayed again in 2024 downtown assault

Several persons of interest were taken into custody and officers were continuing to canvass the area for others who may be involved, according to GFPD.

At 4:50 p.m., GFPD said they’d taken the primary persons of interest into custody but were still working to identify witnesses who were present.

Officers will be processing the scene into the evening.

Several schools went into a shelter in place status as a precaution.

Local agencies review, respond to threats; plan for school safety

GFPD and GFPS officials discussed juvenile violence during an Oct. 29 school board work session on school safety.

Sgt. Katie Cunningham, who oversees the school resource officers, said that they started noticing over the last few years a “huge” uptick in juveniles carrying weapons and committing violence.

She said SROs have been working with school administrators to keep the violence out of schools.

During the meeting, she showed photos that local juveniles had posted to social with weapons.

Cunningham there are juveniles operating in local gangs and showed photos of some of the opposing gang graffiti around town. One of the photos was of gang graffiti at the Phoenix Apartments.

Great Falls agencies concerned about rising juvenile crime, gang related activity

She said that GFPD is dealing with a “massive amount of missing firearms,” as locals are leaving loaded weapons in their cars, often unlocked, and juveniles are stealing them.

Capt. Brian Black told the school board, “it is crazy the amount of thefts. We know these guns are turning up in the hands of kids.”

He said if board members or school staff are talking to their friends, to encourage everyone not to leave weapons in their vehicles.

GFPD Chief Newton also told the Council of Councils during their Oct. 28 meeting to secure their weapons since many were being stolen from vehicles.

Cunningham said that they’re dealing with rival gang activity who are feuding with each other and told the GFPS group about a video with two gangs fighting and an adult pulled a gun during the situation. Since they’re kids without fully thinking it through, she said they often bounce between the groups.

“It’s very clear through graffiti that they’re willing to kill each other,” she said. “That’s what we practice shelter in place for incidents.”