Officials identify man killed by Kalispell police officer

Authorities have released some of the names of those involved in a deadly shooting Friday night in Kalispell.

Kalispell Police officer Brady Gray shot and killed Isaiah Strong, 41, of Kalispell after he allegedly assaulted her with a wood club inside a gas station at the intersection of U.S. 93 and Cemetery Road, according to a press release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

The release indicates the incident began at about 9:58 p.m. Friday when Kalispell Police responded to reports of multiple vehicles being rammed by a red SUV-type vehicle. Officers found the vehicle at the gas station with no one inside it. A short time later a Kalispell officer requested additional units, followed by a report over the radio of shots fired.

The Flathead County Sheriff’s office was called in to investigate the incident. Detectives and the county Crime Scene Unit responded. The initial investigation determined Strong assaulted Gray when he came out of the bathroom. Strong allegedly was swinging a large wood object similar to a short baseball bat, striking the officer.

After the initial assault, Strong allegedly went after a patron in the store. Strong then turned his attention back to the officer, assaulting her again, striking her in the upper body and head, the press release stated. The officer, being assaulted a second time and without immediate backup, responded with deadly force.

During the incident one uninvolved person in the store was struck in the lower leg by a bullet from the officer's firearm. The officer and the person in the store were transported to Kalispell Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Sheriff Brian Heino said the person who was shot but not involved in the incident was in stable condition Friday night.

Heino said Gray has been with the Kalispell Police department for two years and has prior military and police work experience. Gray was treated and released from the hospital. She is on administrative leave for a minimum of 10 days, according to Kalispell Police Chief Doug Russell.

Currently, Strong is at the Montana State Crime Lab, and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office is still actively investigating the incident.