(UPDATE, APRIL 17) The family of Michael Rogel told MTN News through a representative that Rogel was not schizophrenic, contrary to what his friend Trent Rhodes told MTN News.
The Bozeman Police Department released the following information:
Officers responded to a call on Bungalow Lane, stating Rogel had a shotgun and was saying he believed people were on their way to kill him.
As officers arrived at the scene, they saw a vehicle approach and then turn the other way to depart. Police believed the suspect to be the driver based on "various factors."
Rogel allegedly drove the vehicle across the driveway of a residence on Greenmore Court, where it got stuck in the snow.
Officers positioned themselves near Rogel and the vehicle and communicated with Rogel for 30 minutes, suggesting ways to resolve the situation and trying to get him to show he was not holding a weapon.
Officers reported seeing Rogel in a consistent, highly agitated state while "manipulating and moving" the shotgun multiple times.
Police said after about 30 minutes, five officers fired rounds after reportedly seeing Rogel turn and point his weapon in their direction. The officers then approached the vehicle and provided medical care until medical personnel arrived.
No officers were injured in the shooting. The five officers who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.
Police said the names of the officers cannot be released at this time.
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently investigating the case. DCI will submit its findings to the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office. The Park County Coroner’s Office will conduct the coroner’s inquest and will present the facts of the case and make them publicly available.
The police department said body-worn camera footage of the incident is being considered confidential evidence in the case and cannot be released publicly at this time.
The news release said the decision to release the footage, once the case is submitted, will come from the Gallatin County Attorney’s office. Bozeman PD said it would support the decision to make the footage public.
We will update you if we get more information.
(APRIL 4) On Monday, April 3, Bozeman police were involved in a standoff with a man on Greenmore Court. The man died after being shot by police after allegedly pulling out a gun. His friend spoke out about the person he was.
“I just want to call and just want to call him up and hear him tell me everything's going to be okay," said Trent Rhodes.
According to Rhodes, his friend Michael Rogel was the man who was shot and killed by police Monday afternoon. He says he and Rogel have been friends for over a year and worked on music together. Rhodes says Rogel was a good person.
“As far as like who he was as a person, I could call 10 people right now and they would tell you he's just the most genuine person, the nicest guy,” said Rhodes.
According to a news release from the Bozeman Police Department, officers responded to a disturbance on Bungalow Lane involving a man with a gun who said people were on their way to kill him.
The man then left the residence in a vehicle to Greenmore Court where the standoff ensued and the man pulled out a firearm. That's when the officers shot and killed him.
Police Chief Jim Veltkamp says the incident is still being investigated.
Rhodes says his friend was a paranoid schizophrenic and believes this outburst was due to mental illness.
“The buddy that was with him when it happened told me it was like a light switch,” said Rhodes.
Rhodes says Rogel was the one who called the police.
“One of the things that I know happened was Mike himself, he contacted the police and he told them he was like, 'Hey, someone's after me. They're trying to sacrifice me. I need help,'” said Rhodes.
Rhodes says he believes Rogel was not trying to hurt anyone.
“It wasn't something that like, you know, it wasn't like a malicious thing that he was trying to do," said Rhodes. "He wasn't trying to terrorize the town. He was just trying to protect himself.”
Rhodes says police killed Rogel's dog during the shooting and also claims Rogel's mother was on the phone with dispatch during the standoff relaying details about his mental illness.
In the end, Rhodes says he understands the police action.
“When there's, like, fingers and stuff to point at who to blame," said Rhodes. "I mean, it's nobody's fault. Everybody was doing their job, as far as I can tell.”
TRENDING
- Video: men taunt moose in Big Sky
- Train derails in western Montana
- Canada goose returns 'home' to Power
- Recent obituaries on KRTV
FOLLOW KRTV: Instagram | TikTok | Twitter
