Billings Area News

One shot in morning officer-involved Billings shooting

Posted: Feb 11, 2013 8:24 AM by MTN News
Updated: Feb 11, 2013 9:25 AM

BILLINGS - The Billings Police Department is investigating an early morning officer involved shooting early Monday morning.

Billings Police Detective Sgt. Mitch Hart says officers initiated a traffic stop with a suspicious vehicle in front of 23 Custer.

The officer approached the vehicle and attempted to identify one of the three occupants. As the officer approached the rear passenger, the officer attempted to take the suspect out of the vehicle and the passenger became non-compliant with the officer.

The officer deployed a Taser but it is unknown if the Taser was effective due to thick clothing. The officer reportedly then noticed what appeared to be a handgun in the suspect's pocket and fired one shot into the suspect's abdomen.

The suspect was taken to a Billings hospital. The suspect's condition is unknown at this time, and the officers were not injured.

The shooting is under investigation at this time and we'll have more information as it becomes available.