UPDATE
MISSOULA – A suspect is behind bars after pulling a gun following a car crash on Missoula’s northside and then leading police on a pursuit that ended with shots being exchanged with authorities.
Missoula Police said the suspect, 26-year-old Donald Stebbins, is being held at the Missoula County Detention Facility.
The incident began when police were called to the scene of a crash in the 900 block of North Orange Street just before 3:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Missoula Police spokesman Sgt. Travis Welsh says that one of those involved in the accident told 911 dispatchers that a driver pulled out a handgun and fired it following the crash,
A short time later, officers learned that the same male pulled up next to another vehicle where he again brandished a handgun. The other vehicle sped away when the driver saw the gun, according to Sgt. Welsh.
Officers later found a blue Chevy pickup truck which matched the suspect vehicle description, but when they tried to pull over the suspect vehicle, the driver refused to stop and fled from officers.
Police chased the suspect through the northwest part of the city until the driver stopped on Otis Street where he got out of the truck with a gun in his hand.
Sgt. Welsh says as officers attempted to apprehend the suspect, there was an exchange of gunfire before the male dropped his weapon and walked away — ignoring officer’s commands.
The suspect was finally taken into custody after a brief struggle. No injuries have been reported, but Sgt. Welsh says a Missoula Police officer fired his gun during the incident.
A ‘Use of Force’ investigation is now being conducted by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation in conjunction with the criminal investigation by MPD, according to Sgt. Welsh.
We’ll have more information as it becomes available.
(first report)
MISSOULA – One person has been arrested after shots were reportedly fired early Thursday in Missoula.
Missoula Police Sergeant Bob Campbell told MTN News that officers responded to the area near Grand Avenue and Third Street at around 3:30 a.m.
Sgt. Campbell says one person has been detained in connection with the incident.
There were no injuries reported.
Officers were also called to the scene near Otis Street and Coal Mine Road. It’s not clear if the two incidents are connected.
We’ll have more information as it becomes available.
-information from Kent Luetzem included in this report.
