BOZEMAN — A woman who Bozeman police say was brandishing a handgun and threatening to harm herself and others was killed by officers early Thursday.
A press release from the City of Bozeman says the incident began around 8 p.m. Wednesday. Police officers responded to a call of a woman with a handgun threatening a family member at a residence in Bozeman.
When officers arrived they learned the woman had left the residence with the handgun and had made further threats to herself and others. She was located by police two hours later in the parking lot of the shopping complex located on the northeast corner of West Oak Street and North 19th Avenue. According to the release, the woman was still visibly in possession of the handgun.
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The release says officers contacted the woman and attempted to de-escalate the situation for nearly three hours. The woman reportedly put the gun down around 1:45 a.m. and appeared to be giving up, but then grabbed the handgun again.
"Officers responded to the threat and fired several rounds, with the female succumbing to her injuries," according to the release.
No officers were injured in the incident, and the involved officers have been placed on administrative leave per department policy.
“First, our most heartfelt condolences go out to the family members and all who are impacted by this loss,” Chief Jim Veltkamp stated in the release. “Events like these affect our entire community. We are committed to a thorough investigation of this incident and appreciate everyone’s patience as we learn more.”
The release said the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation has been requested per department protocol and is conducting an independent investigation.
