Malta, Montana – Authorities in Phillips County, Montana, were involved in a fatal altercation Sunday evening when a suspect rammed his car into a sheriff’s deputy cruiser. The man, who was later killed by deputies, was believed to be connected to a shooting incident in the small town of Saco, located west of Malta on Highway 2.
Phillips County Sheriff Jerry Lytle revealed in a press release on Monday that the deputies responded to reports of a shooting at a residence near Saco around 7:39 p.m. on Sunday. The caller informed law enforcement that the suspected shooter was still on the property and was making threats towards anyone entering the yard.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies and an ambulance encountered the suspect, who quickly fled in a vehicle. The victim of the shooting was transported to a hospital in Billings, while the deputies engaged in a pursuit of the suspect.
Sheriff Lytle stated that during the chase, the suspect intentionally crashed his vehicle into a deputy’s car, leading the deputies to respond with lethal force, resulting in the suspect’s death. An independent investigation into the incident will be carried out by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, with the Valley County coroner handling the death investigation.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Sheriff Lytle expressed empathy for both the suspect’s family and the deputies involved, emphasizing the need for a thorough and impartial investigative process. He requested the community to keep all affected families in their thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.