by Michael J. Marino
Billings Police Chief Rich St. John answers questions during a press conference about the officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 23. (Photo courtesy Billings Police Department via Facebook)
A 36-year-old Billings man is dead after he led police on a chase through the city that ultimately cost him his life.
Billings Police Department (BPD) responded to a location near the Ledgestone Hotel off King Ave. East at about 11:19 PM on May 23 after receiving a report of an assault. According to Police Chief Rich St. John, the caller stated a male had pistol-whipped and visibly injured a female victim, and was holding her against her will. The caller further described the suspect as a male in his 30s, and advised that he was leaving the area in a red passenger car.
Officers located the car and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, the suspect along with three other passengers, one of whom was the female victim, fled the scene.
A “17-minute, multiple-agency pursuit” followed, in which St. John said there were two unsuccessful attempts to use spike strips. The suspect evaded officers from King Ave. East all the way to Shiloh Road, then to an apartment complex at 1301 Industrial Ave. where he reportedly cut through the alley as well as a playground. The vehicle eventually became disabled in the parking lot of Fireside Lanes at 1431 Industrial Ave.
In a press release, BPD stated “the suspect was armed and non-compliant,” and a short standoff ensued, during which the suspect pointed the gun at his own head and did not comply with officers’ orders to drop his weapon and get out of the vehicle. The three other passengers were still trapped in the car as the driver repeatedly brandished the gun and refused to get out.
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