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Inquest to Examine Shooting of Man by Montana Police

Kyle Killough, 32, of Gillette, was killed in Billings on Oct. 27

By Molly Priddy

BILLINGS — A formal inquest will be held in a Montana courtroom Wednesday to determine if a police officer was justified in the shooting death of a Wyoming man following a standoff in a hotel lobby.

Kyle Killough, 32, of Gillette, was killed in Billings on Oct. 27. Authorities say he was shot three times after refusing to drop a handgun and then turning toward officers with the weapon.

Coroner’s inquests are required under Montana law whenever law enforcement is involved in a fatal shooting or someone dies in law enforcement custody.

A citizen jury will hear testimony and then make a recommendation on whether the shooting was justified. A final decision is up to prosecutors.

The inquest is expected to last one day.