GREAT FALLS — The investigation continues after a Great Falls murder suspect was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer on Thursday near Glacier National Park.
Police officers were called to a domestic disturbance at around 12:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of 6th Street NE in Great Falls, near Sacajawea Elementary School.
One person was found dead at the residence, and officers found that the suspect had taken a hostage and fled Cascade County.
At about 6:20 a.m., the hours-long chase of the suspect ended with the suspect being shot and killed off US Highway 2.
Police say the hostage is safe with law enforcement officers.
Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino noted that the officer that shot the suspect was not one of his deputies, and that several law enforcement agencies were involved in the chase.
Highway 2 between West Glacier and East Glacier remains closed as the investigation continues. (UPDATE, 2 p.m. - The closure of US Highway 2 from West Glacier to East Glacier has been lifted. Please use caution just east of Nyack Flats between mile markers 162 and 169 for the next couple of hours as law enforcement completes their investigation.)
Authorities have not yet released the name of the person who died in Great Falls, nor the name of the suspect.
Witness to shooting and kidnapping recounts what he saw:
We will keep you updated as we get more information.
(1st REPORT, 7:42 a.m.) One person was killed and one person was kidnapped overnight in Great Falls, and the suspect is also dead.
The Great Falls Police Department said in a news release that at about 12:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a residence along the the 3000 block of 6th Street NE.
Officers found one person dead at the scene, and learned that the suspect had taken a hostage and fled Cascade County. The name of the person who died has not yet been released, nor has the cause of death.
At about 6:20 a.m., the chase ended in Flathead County; a short time later, Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino told MTN that Highway 2 between West Glacier and East Glacier is currently closed due to the investigation.
Police say the hostage is now safe with law enforcement officers, and the suspect is dead; there is no word at this point how the suspect died.
As of 7:30 a.m., 6th Street NE from Sacajawea Drive to 32nd Avenue NE and Skyline Drive NE remains closed as police continue the investigation.
