Chief says police shooting justified

By CHERY SABOL

The Daily Inter Lake

Kalispell Police Chief Frank Garner released details on the Thanksgiving morning shooting by his officers that left a man dead. He said Saturday that the shooting was justified.

Trevor New, 28, of Kalispell, was shot to death after officers responded to a 911 call about a domestic assault at 116 Buffalo Square Court just after midnight on Nov. 23.

A woman reported that New had thrown her to the ground. Her call was abruptly disconnected after the woman told a dispatcher, "He's coming at me."

When officers arrived, New and his brother were fighting over a combination rifle/shotgun called a .22/20-gauge over and under, Garner said. New turned the weapon toward the officers and started screaming at them, Garner said.

Officer Nate Vannoy attempted to subdue New with a Taser shot, but the dual barbs of the electroshock line didn't penetrate New properly and he advanced toward the officers, pointing the gun at them.

Then, the officers "did the only thing they could do," Garner said.

Officers Steve Hoover fired two shots and Dave Thomason fired three at New. Garner said all five shots hit New. He was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Garner said the three officers were immediately placed on administrative leave, according to policy. The Flathead County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting and an inquest will be held after the first of the year.

Kalispell Police Department is conducting its own internal investigation, also according to policy.

"We recognize the importance of reviewing any kind of use-of-force incident. We take that very seriously," Garner said.

Two other officers who were at the scene are not required to be placed on leave.

"We ask policemen to do a lot of difficult things," Garner said.

He is grateful "to have people like them willing to be there on nights like that," he said of his officers.

New's body will was sent to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for autopsy.

He was on probation after being sentenced to four years in prison for aggravated assault in South Dakota in February 2004. He was a registered violent offender.