Woman with pistol shot dead threatening staff, including a judge at Helena, Montana courthouse. Un-identified female shot dead by pursuing officers a block away from Lewis and Clark County Courthouse. No known motive.
An un-identified woman is dead after allegedly taking out a gun at a Helena, Montana courthouse and threatening staff and a judge, before being shot by responding court officers after refusing to drop the weapon.
The Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook release said they responded with Helena Police officers to the Lewis and Clark County courthouse just on 1.30 p.m, Friday after receiving ‘numerous 911 calls’ about ‘an adult female with a pistol.’
After making threats, the sheriff’s office said, she left the courthouse and headed east on Broadway Avenue, about a block away from the courthouse where police and deputies made contact.
Residents in the area told MTN News that they heard what sounded like multiple gunshots being fired.
Up to five to six gunshots were heard. It remained unclear if the female suspect fired off any shots at pursuing officers.
‘The female was uncompliant with Officers and Deputies commands which resulted in the Officers and Deputies utilizing deadly force,’ the sheriff’s office said.
Police and paramedics rendered medical aid, but the woman died.
Police said there was no active threat to the public around 2p.m, Friday afternoon.
Responding agencies included the Helena Police Department, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Helena Fire, and an ambulance from St. Peter’s Health.
The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation will handle the shooting investigation.
According to KTVM, two sheriff’s deputies were placed on administrative leave, per standard protocol in officer-involved shootings.
Not immediately clear is how the woman was able to enter the courthouse with a weapon and what had brought her there. Authorities continue to investigate.
