GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Shilo LaPlant was arrested and charged with multiple felonies after allegedly threatening bank employees by pointing a toy gun that closely resembled a real firearm.
According to court documents, LaPlant faces three counts of felony assault with a weapon and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct following an incident outside First Interstate Bank in downtown Great Falls on Thursday.
Police were dispatched around 4 p.m. to the 200 block of 5th Street North after reports of a man waving what appeared to be a pistol. Officers quickly located LaPlant and recovered the weapon nearby—a toy pistol with a faint orange tip, though not easily identifiable as fake.
Three bank employees told police they believed the gun was real and feared for their lives. They said LaPlant pointed the toy gun at himself, then directed it toward them, including once at a teller through the window.
Due to the victims’ reasonable fear of serious injury, LaPlant was charged with assault for causing apprehension with what appeared to be a weapon.
LaPlant has a criminal history including misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest convictions, as well as dismissed felony charges for assault on a peace officer.
Prosecutors have requested bail set at $25,000. The case remains pending.
