A death investigation is underway after a shooting and chase near Seeley Lake

SEELEY LAKE – A man’s death is under investigation following a shooting and high-speed chase Saturday afternoon near Seeley Lake.

Missoula County sheriff’s spokeswoman Jeannette Smith reports that shortly after 3 p.m., a male driver traveling south on Highway 83 near Seeley Lake struck another driver in an area with double yellow lines drove past and then fired shots from the driver’s side window.

Smith said Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department officers located the dark blue Toyota pickup truck traveling south on Highway 83.

Officers continued to pursue the vehicle from the intersection of Highway 83 and Highway 200 while the male driver traveled west on Highway 200.

John Webster

The male driver was stopped near mile marker 20 on Highway 200. For the safety of first responders and the public, traffic was delayed on Highway 200.

Smith said police ordered the male suspect to exit the vehicle. According to Smith, the suspect did not comply with law enforcement orders. The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was mobilized shortly after 3:30 p.m.

Smith said a gunshot was heard from the suspect vehicle. The suspect was also given the order to get out of the vehicle. The suspect didn’t answer.

John Webster

When police approached the suspect’s vehicle, the man did not respond. Despite life-saving efforts by law enforcement, the man died. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will serve as the coroner for the incident.

The Montana Department of Corrections Criminal Investigation Division (DCI) is investigating the incident.