GREAT FALLS — The Montana Highway Patrol said in a news release that the situation occurred after troopers were alerted that a suspect from Nebraska, with a no-bond warrant for his arrest for threatening to use explosives or place bombs, had entered Montana.
At approximately 2:48 p.m. a trooper notified dispatch that he had located the man's vehicle near Big Timber and a second trooper, who was in the area, was called for backup.
Minutes later, the trooper initiated a traffic stop and advised dispatch the suspect was driving away. The trooper tried to perform a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the suspect’s vehicle but was unsuccessful.
After the PIT attempt, the troopers advised that the suspect had fired shots, and the troopers returned fire.
Soon after, the troopers advised the suspect was down. The incident lasted approximately three minutes.
The suspect, who was considered suicidal, armed, and dangerous, died at the scene; his name has not yet been released.
The two troopers were not injured and have been placed on administrative leave per MHP’s standard policy.
The Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office arrived on scene to assist shortly after the incident. The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) will lead the investigation.
(1st REPORT) The Sweet Grass County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that there was an "officer-involved shooting" of a suspect on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
It happened on West Second Avenue in the town of Big Timber.
The agency said the person who was shot is deceased; the name of the person has not yet been released, but the Sheriff's Office said the person was not a "local resident."
Sheriff Alan Ronneberg said that there is no risk to the public.
As is standard in situations when a person is shot by an officer, the Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation will lead the investigation.
We will update you if we get more information.
