Update 1:40 p.m.
BILLINGS - A Billings man faces felony charges following a standoff Friday morning on Broadwater Avenue.
In a press release, police identified the man as 42-year-old Russell Passons. He faces possible charges of eluding a police officer, obstructing, resisting arrest, criminal endangerment, drug possession, and DUI.
Police said the incident began at 8:52 a.m. when officers responded to a report of an erratic driver in the area of First Street West and Broadwater Avenue. An officer located the vehicle on Broadwater and observed dangerous driving that put other drivers and pedestrians at risk, the press release states.
The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver continued west on Broadwater. As the vehicle approached 15th Street West officers were able to pin the vehicle and stop the driver from continuing.
"At this time Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, who was acting erratically and refusing to comply or respond to Officers commands," the press release states.
SWAT members from the city and county, drones, and negotiators were then called to the scene.
Negotiations with the suspect continued until shortly before 11 a.m. when Passons came out of the vehicle. Once outside of the vehicle, police said Passons continued to ignore commands to allow officers to take him into custody. At that point, a bean bag shotgun round was fired with little effect, and a police dog was deployed.
Passons was then taken into custody, provided medical care, and evaluated for any injuries and mental health concerns, the press release states.
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Update 11 a.m.
Police said the suspect has been taken into custody and Broadwater Avenue will be reopened shortly.
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First Report
BILLINGS - Billings police officers were engaged in a standoff Friday morning with a person in a vehicle.
Police Lt. Matt Lennick said in a social media post at about 9:45 a.m. that the standoff was at Broadwater Avenue and 15 Street West.
"The individual is refusing to respond or comply to commands and negotiators and SWAT have been activated," Lennick said.
Broadwater Avenue was closed from 14th to 16th, and 15th Street West is closed one block north and south of Broadwater.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
**Correction: The original report by Mack Carmack stated that Mitch Crowse, a witness to the event, was in a romantic relationship with another witness. That information is false. The two witnesses are work partners at the Adaptive Fitness Center.
