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Billings Chief: Man Fired at Officers Before He was Killed

Friday's shooting happened along Montana Highway 3

By Associated Press

BILLINGS – Billings’ police chief says a man shot at officers before they returned fire and killed him.

Friday’s shooting happened along Montana Highway 3. The four officers involved were responding to a report of a man who was armed and suicidal.

The Billings Gazette reports that an hour-long standoff ensued before the man began walking toward the officers and ignored orders to stop.

Chief Rich St. John said in a statement Monday that the man fired at least one shot before the officers fired and killed him.

The man’s name is being withheld pending an autopsy.

The four officers have been placed on administrative leave. One of the officers, 20-year-veteran Steve Swanson, was also involved in a 2015 shooting at Billings Clinic.