Sacramento, California – Authorities in Phillips County, Montana, were faced with a challenging situation as they were forced to use deadly force on a suspect after he rammed his car into their cruiser. The incident unfolded following a pursuit on Sunday evening.
According to Phillips County Sheriff Jerry Lytle, the man involved in the altercation was a suspect in a shooting that occurred south of Saco, a small town located on Highway 2 west of Malta. The sheriff revealed this information in a press release issued early Monday morning.
Sheriff’s deputies were initially dispatched to a residence near Saco after receiving reports of a shooting at 7:39 p.m. on Sunday. The caller informed law enforcement that the alleged shooter was still present on the property and was making threats to shoot anyone who entered the yard.
Upon the arrival of deputies and an ambulance at the scene, they encountered the suspect who then fled the scene in a vehicle. The victim of the shooting was rushed to a hospital in Billings, while the deputies pursued the suspect.
Sheriff Lytle stated in a press release that during the pursuit, the suspect intentionally crashed his vehicle into a deputy’s car, disabling it. In response to this threat, the deputies resorted to the use of deadly force, resulting in the death of the suspect.
Following the incident, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation will be overseeing an independent inquiry to assess the circumstances that led to the use of lethal force. The Valley County coroner will also be conducting a death investigation related to the suspect.
Sheriff Lytle acknowledged the complexity of the situation, expressing empathy for both the suspect’s family and the deputies involved. He emphasized the importance of a thorough and unbiased investigation process while requesting community support and thoughts for all individuals impacted by the incident.