Missoula officer shoots, kills suspect

MISSOULA — A Missoula police officer pursuing a domestic violence suspect shot and killed the man early Wednesday, authorities said.

The domestic violence call came in shortly after 2 a.m., and the officer shot the man at 3:18 a.m., Missoula County spokeswoman Paige Pavalone said. Officials have not said what happened between the time of the call and the shooting, including whether more than one officer chased the man.

An unidentified woman was found in a car with the suspect, Pavalone said, but neither she nor the officers involved were injured in the shooting.

A body covered by a sheet lay next to a car on the ramp connecting West Broadway and North Reserve Street for over seven hours until Sanders County Coroner Kathy Harris arrived to investigate. The victim’s name has not been released.

The officer involved in the shooting was placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy, said Sgt. Travis Welsh. The officer was not immediately identified.

The ramp reopened around 11:30 a.m. after a tow truck moved the man’s car.