Great Falls MT Police Department

10/22/2026

10/21/26, we arrested Trei Lehnerz, 31, of Great Falls, Montana, for Impersonation of Public Servant, a felony violation of Montana Code Annotated § 45-7-209.

It is alleged Lehnerz, who is also known as Trai Toney, falsely identified himself as a law enforcement officer during contact with members of the public.

We suspect there may be additional individuals who have been contacted by Lehnerz while he represented himself as a law enforcement officer. Anyone who has had such an encounter, whether or not they believed it was legitimate at the time, is asked to come forward. You may be the victim of a crime.

We emphasize, no one who had contact with Lehnerz is in trouble for reporting it. Each additional account helps investigators understand the full scope of the conduct.

TO REPORT SUSPICOUS CONTACT WITH LEHNERZ...
CALL SPO Brown at 406-799-8322
GO TO p3tips.com, to report anonymously
PRIVATE MESSAGE the GFPD Facebook or Insta page

Community members are reminded, you may ask any person claiming to be a law enforcement officer for official identification, and you may call 911 or the non-emergency line (406-455-8599) to verify whether an officer or a traffic stop is legitimate.

Charges are allegations only. Trei Lehnerz is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

10/20/2026

Our partners at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4 are relocating a young black bear after FWP Wardens, Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office deputies, 911 dispatchers, and GFPD officers have responded to multiple reports of the bear wandering into yards on the southeast side of town. We hope this little guy thrives in his new home.

10/16/2026

ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE OPERATION - "As community members, we all have a responsibility to help protect our youth. Preventing the sale of alcohol to anyone under 21 is a key component of deterring underage drinking, which often leads to other poor decisions.” MPO Klippenes said, after Wednesday's covert operation. See the news release below.

GREAT FALLS, Montana – The evening of October 14, 2026, officers with the Great Falls Police Department conducted a compliance check of 56 businesses that sell alcohol within the city limits of Great Falls. The purpose of the operation is to ensure liquor license holders are working to prevent the sale of alcohol to purchasers under the age of 21. We take a zero-tolerance stance on these matters, as the safety of Great Falls’ youth is among our top priorities. The establishments are chosen randomly by the State of Montana; the checks are supported by STOP Act funds provided by Alliance for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention stakeholders. Since the inception of mandatory alcohol server training in the State of Montana, we have seen a dramatic decrease in illegal sales of alcohol to persons under 21 years of age.

During the compliance operation, volunteers were 19 or 20 years old and possessed a valid legal identification card or driver’s license. The volunteers showed their identification card to every server or seller who asked to see it.

Of the 56 establishments, all were open and an attempt to purchase alcohol took place. 51 of the businesses passed and 5 failed, for a success rate of 91%. This is a higher success rate compared to the last compliance check, conducted in January 2025, when 82% passed. Eight businesses were chosen to check for compliance but were closed at the time of the operation. Those businesses were not included in the statistics above.

The businesses and employees who successfully passed deserve well-earned ⭐️ CONGRATULATIONS ⭐️ for their diligence in preventing alcohol sales to underage purchasers.

The employees who sold alcohol to the underage buyers were issued a citation for violating MCA 16-3-301, 4A (Unlawful Sales/Transfer to a Person under 21 years of age), a misdemeanor.

ESTABLISHMENTS THAT FAILED
5th & W**e - 214 5th St S
Holiday Inn Bar & Casino - 400 10th Ave S
P*k & Pump / Kernaghan's - 1507 8th Ave N
Wal-Mart - 701 Smelter Ave NE
Wh***ey Falls Casino - 721 6th St SW

ESTABLISHMENTS THAT PASSED
Ace's Tavern - 900 8th Ave NW
Albertson's - 1414 3rd St NW
Albertson's - 2250 10th Ave S
Bar S Lounge & Supper Club - 5100 N Star Blvd
Big John's Casino - 2323 11th Ave S
Brake Time - 1225 Central Ave W
Cashout Casino - 1308 10th Ave S
Circle K - 1601 Fox Farm Rd
Conoco / On Your Way - 1608 Fox Farm Rd
Crown Lounge - 1820 10th Ave S
El Comedor - 1120 25th St S
Elevation 3330 - 410 Central Ave
Emerald City Casino - 1200 7th St S
Everyday IGA - 2505 6th Ave N
Exxon / Town Pump - 3715 31st St SW, Suite 1
Exxon / Town Pump - 401 10th Ave S
Fat Tuesdays' - 817 10th Ave S
Fire Artisan Pizza - 107 5th St N
FOE 14 - 1501 9th St S
Gold Dust Casino - 770 6th Street SW
Halftime Sports Bar & Casino - 1101 NW Bypass
Heiderlberg - 27 Division Road
Hideout Lounge & Casino - 2401 12th Ave S
Ike & Susan's Casino - 3716 2nd Ave N
Jake's Steak 4Rib & Fish - 1500 10th Ave S
JR's Casino - 1504 9th Ave N
La Cocina - 1709 Alder Dr
Lido Bar and Casino - 625 1st Ave SW
Loaf 'N Jug - 3726 2nd Ave N
Longhorn Lounge - 801 Smelter Ave NE
Love's Travel Stop - 3219 Airport Drive
Lucky Lil's Casino - 3715 31st St SW
Montana Club of Great Falls - 907 Smelter Ave NE
MT 41 Casino - 1020 17th St S
Nickel Nat's Casino - 1425 8th Ave N
Pizza Hut #201 - 1518 10th Ave S
Players II Casion - 2126 10th Ave S
Riverboat Queen Casino - 1012 9th St S
Side Track Casino - 3653 9th Ave N
Sinclair / Noons Dinomart - 1300 12th Ave S
Snits - 619 Central Ave
Stadium Sports Bar & Casino - 1121 5th St S
Steinhaus - 711 1st Ave N
Super 1 Foods - 3160 10th Ave S
Target of Great Falls T-253 - 2000 10th Ave S
Texas Roadhouse - 1220 10th Ave S
The Barrel Casino - 527 Central Ave W
The Do Bar - 1800 3rd St NW
The Palace Casino - 626 10th Ave S
Triple Play - 1600 1/2 10th Ave S
Wh***ey Falls Casino II - 1200 9th St S

10/09/2026

TOMORROW! GET INTO A HOT PURSUIT before the winter weather hits!
🚨 2ND ANNUAL HOT PURSUIT RUN/WALK is happening 10//10/26 at Gibson Park
☀️❄️ Montanans don't let the threat of a little weather stop them, the race is happening, snow or shine
🎈 SWAG - Every registrant gets a Hot Pursuit water bottle and more
🚨 Supporting Montana Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
🏃‍♀️ 5K with chip timing (Register by 5PM 9/24/25 to guarantee an official 5k race time)
🏃‍♂️ 1.3-mile fun run/walk — untimed, open to all paces
🧑‍✈️ Run alongside a first responder - fun for all ages
❌️ Register https://p2p.onecause.com/2026hotpursuit-greatfalls or register in person tomorrow

10/07/2026

NEWS CONFERENCE VIDEO - This morning (10/7/26) Chief Newton spoke to several members of Great Falls' media, in relation to the many serious incidents that have occurred over the last two weeks. The video is lengthy; we encourage you to watch it all the way through.

Newton shares details of recent events, including the identity of the male we've taken into custody regarding the student being stabbed near Great Falls Public Schools Great Falls High School, information about the support we provide our staff, and how the public safety community comes together during these times.

We understand recent traumas have greatly impacted Great Falls and Montana residents, as well as the agencies entrusted with handling these events, to include:
Great Falls MT Police Department
Great Falls/Cascade County 911 Center
Great Falls Fire Rescue
Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office
Great Falls Emergency Services
Benefis Health System Emergency Department / Mercy Flight
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

We hope the information in the video will aid in bringing clarity and encourage unity across Great Falls and Cascade County.

10/05/2026

Sunday, October 4, 2026, at approximately 5:53PM, officers responded to the parking lot just north of the police station at 112 1st Ave S. A community member entering the building reported finding an unresponsive male lying next to a vehicle.

Officers arrived almost immediately and discovered the male suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers began lifesaving efforts and requested emergency medical assistance from Great Falls Fire Rescue and Great Falls Emergency Services. Despite everyone’s best efforts, the male tragically succumbed to his injuries.

GFPD detectives responded and, after a thorough and respectful examination, it was determined the injury was the result of a self‑inflicted gunshot wound.

Out of respect for the individual and their loved ones, no additional information will be released. Our thoughts are with those affected by this loss.

If you or a loved one are struggling with thoughts of su***de or self-harm, or if you just need some support, please reach out. You are never alone, there are lots of people who will be there for you.
• Call, text, or chat 988
• Call 911
• Talk to a family member or friend

10/03/2026

UPDATE - The infant has succumbed to her injuries and died. We are not releasing names, to ensure family notifications have been made.

The charges for the suspect will be amended to homicide.

We cannot confirm any legitimate fundraising efforts.

Please keep the family and your first responders in your thoughts as our community reels from this tragedy.

ORIGINAL POST - Overnight, GFPD officers and detectives responded to two critical incidents.

At approximately 9:45PM (10/2/26), officers were dispatched to 20th St S and 2nd Ave S for a disturbance. Officers found one male suffering from a stab wound after he attempted to break up an altercation between a male and a female. The victim was transported to Benefis Health System Emergency Department with life-threatening injuries. Detectives were called out and a person of interest has been identified.

At approximately 11:25PM (10/2/26), Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 3800 block of 7th St NE for a disturbance. Officers found five people with stab wounds, including an infant. A male suspect was taken into custody as he attempted to flee the scene. All victims were transported to Benefis Emergency Department with critical injuries. Detectives remain at the scene today, as they continue the investigation.

Both incidents stretched response capabilities causing GFPD to prioritize an "emergency only" response for the remainder of the night. We're grateful for the 911 dispatchers who did an outstanding job managing the response of law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. And, we'd like to thank Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office for their ongoing partnership, as their deputies filled in and responded to other calls, when no Great Falls MT Police Department officers were available.

We anticipate sharing more information about these incidents, at a later time. In the meantime, we encourage community members to lead with compassion and cooperation as we work to provide thorough and complete investigations, while continuing to serve and protect Great Falls.

09/30/2026

TRAFFIC ALERT! Crash Investigator Formell advises 26th St S from 13th Ave S to 15th Ave S will be closed until further notice. At approximately 12:40 this afternoon (9/30/26), a large truck attempted to travel under the bridge and struck it, causing damage. A safety inspection is necessary before vehicles will be allowed to travel under the bridge again. Traffic on the streets and in the parking lots is being rerouted, please adhere to the instructions displayed on those signs.

09/29/2026

2ND ANNUAL HOT PURSUIT is happening October 10th at Gibson Park.

🚨 Find out if you can outrun a first responder!
🚨 A fast, fun, and meaningful race supporting Montana Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
🚨 OCTOBER 10, 2026
🚨 GIBSON PARK - 400 Park Dr N, Great Falls
🏃‍♀️ 5K with chip timing (Register by 5PM 9/24/25 to guarantee an official 5k race time)
🏃‍♂️ 1.3-mile fun run/walk — untimed, open to all paces
🧑‍✈️ Run alongside a local cop - fun for all ages
❌️ Register https://p2p.onecause.com/2026hotpursuit-greatfalls

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09/28/2026

Please see this update from Cascade County Sheriff/Coroner's Office Sheriff Slaughter. Our sincere condolences go to Tanner's family and friends.

UPDATE: After more than 41 hours of searching by the Great Falls MT Police Department, the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, and dedicated family and friends, Tanner Rust has been found deceased with no signs of foul play. The 22-year-old from Great Falls was last seen leaving his home in the 300 block of 46th Street South around 1:30 a.m. on September 26th. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tanner’s family, friends, and everyone whose life he touched.

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