Identity of suspect killed in domestic disturbance call released by DCI
<p>State investigators spent two days at the St. Regis home where a fatal officer-involved shooting occured on June 19.</p>
State investigators release their preliminary findings after two days of forensics work at the St. Regis home where a man was shot and killed by an officer after the suspect "would not follow commands to drop his rifle."
Sanders County Coroner Kathy Harris released the name of the suspect who was shot and killed by a Montana Highway Patrol Officer June 19 in St. Regis as 62-year-old Howard Curtis Martin.
According to a press release from the Division of Criminal Investigation at the Montana Department of Justice at approximately 6:00 pm the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a family disturbance. Upon arrival at 4 Monte Circle in St. Regis a gunshot came from the residence, prompting a call for backup which was responded to by four MHP Troopers and other county personnel.
“Martin, who was armed, left his home….and called a family member while officers were searching for him, telling her that he had a law enforcement officer in the crosshairs of his scope and indicated he was on a ridge near his home,” the DCI press release reads. “
Officers began a search for Martin and approximately two-hours later he was found one block from the home and when approached by officers would not follow commands to drop his rifle.
“The initial investigation indicates that the suspect raised the weapon toward officers, at which point he was shot and killed by Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Adam Gane of Missoula,” the DCI press release reads. “Trooper Gane, who has seven years of law enforcement experience, two of them with the MHP, is on administrative leave pending the investigation.”
Official investigation into the shooting was turned over to Montana DCI at the request of Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas. Investigators with Montana DCI completed their scene work in St. Regis on Friday and said the investigation will continue over the “next few weeks.”
Once the investigation is completed findings will be turned over to Mineral County Attorney Marcia Boris.