1 dead in officer-involved shooting in Mineral County

Mineral County law enforcement officers on Sunday shot and killed a suspect who was allegedly involved in a stabbing and kidnapping earlier in the day.

According to information from Sheriff Ryan Funke, the officer-involved shooting occurred Sunday at 11 a.m. near Fish Creek south of Tarkio.

"While law enforcement was setting up a scene perimeter, the suspect came out of the heavily wooded area with the hostage and a weapon," Funke detailed. "The suspect refused to obey law enforcement commands and was shot." 

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene following attempts to resuscitate them, Funke said.

The Department of Criminal Investigations, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office detectives and a City of Missoula detective were called to process the scene. The body of the suspect was transported by a Missoula County coroner to the Montana State Crime Lab for an autopsy. 

Funke said that due to the ongoing investigation, the names of the officers, victims and the suspect will not be released at this time. 

Funke thanked law enforcement partners that assisted with the "evolving, dangerous situation."