Man shot by Highway Patrol trooper identified

HELENA — In the minutes before a St. Regis man was shot by a Montana Highway Patrol trooper, he called a family member and said he had a law enforcement officer in the crosshairs of his scope, the state Justice Department said.

Sanders County Coroner Kathy Harris said Friday that Trooper Adam Gane of Missoula shot Howard Curtis Martin, 62, on Wednesday night.

The case began when officers responding to a family disturbance at 6 p.m. Wednesday in St. Regis heard a gunshot come from the residence. Four Highway Patrol troopers responded to a request for backup.

Martin left the house on foot armed with a rifle, the state Division of Criminal Investigation said.

About two hours later, Martin called a family member to say he had a law enforcement officer in his gun sights and was on a ridge near his home.

During an encounter with officers, Martin would not follow commands to drop the rifle and instead raised it toward officers, the Justice Department said in a news release.

Gane was placed on administrative leave while the case is investigated. He has seven years of law enforcement experience, including two with the patrol.