BOZEMAN, Mont. – Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that led to the death of a 29-year-old woman in Bozeman. The incident began on Wednesday, October 16, when police received a call around 8:00 p.m. about a woman threatening another person with a gun.
The Bozeman Police Department responded to a home near 15th Avenue and D Street, they were told the woman had left with the gun and made suicidal and homicidal threats. Officers searched the area for two hours before finding the woman in a shopping complex parking lot. She refused to drop the firearm, police say this raised significant concerns due to a nearby open grocery store.
Crisis negotiators attempted to talk to the woman for two hours and 45 minutes and less lethal tools were used once. Around 1:45 a.m. the woman briefly put down the gun and said she was giving up and walked away from it. However, she then ran back to the gun and picked it up in a manner that alarmed officers, leading to the shooting.
Two Bozeman Police Officers fired riffles, two Bozeman Police Officers used less lethal tools along with one Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputy.
After the shooting, officers approached the woman and found her deceased. No officers were injured. As per department policy, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
Police Chief Jim Veltkamp emphasized the professionalism and patience of the officers involved. “Each of them signs on as a law enforcement officer to help people. Always hoping that each call does not end like this,” he added.
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigations is conducting an independent investigation, and findings will be turned over to the Gallatin County Attorney’s office for review. An internal investigation by Bozeman Police Department is also underway to assess any possible policy violations and equipment needs.
Veltkamp shared, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members and all impacted by the loss. These kind of events not only affect the family but also the entire community.”
The police chief requested the community’s patience during this investigation, acknowledging the mental health issues involved. “The best way for us to take care of the community is for us to take care of our officers, keep them healthy so they can take care of the community,” he stated.
Questions about body camera footage and the woman’s background remain open, pending the ongoing investigation. “I cannot speculate without the investigations being conducted,” Veltkamp mentioned.
