(UPDATE, 2:30 p.m., 2/12/2020) The lockdown orders for county buildings in downtown Missoula have been lifted after being implemented Wednesday morning due to a shooting incident.
The Missoula County Sheriff's Office reports that units have been cleared and the lockdown has been lifted. All county buildings have reopened and are resuming operations.
The downtown perimeter has been adjusted and remains in place on Woody St. between W. Spruce and W. Broadway. The east/west boundaries are on W. Pine between Orange St. and the Mountain Line Bus Depot. People are asked to avoid that area.
The City of Missoula Police Department is investigating the incident.
At approximately 9:45 a.m., an officer driving north in the 400 block of Woody Street reported the rear window of his patrol car had been shot out, according to MPD. Officers quickly converged on the area and a perimeter was established.
Several streets in downtown Missoula, including Broadway Street in front of the Missoula County Courthouse, were shut down and businesses were asked to shelter in place.
No injuries have been reported and no other details have been released at this time.
We will continue to update you with any new information.
(UPDATE, 2:15 p.m., 2/12/2020) Missoula County Emergency Management had made a post on social media giving an update to the situation in downtown. The post says the Missoula County Courthouse and adjacent buildings, including the Administration Building, Youth Court and Relationship Violence Services, remain on lock down due to law enforcement activity.
The public is not able to access these facilities at this time.
The lock down is likely to remain for the remainder of the day.
(UPDATE, 1:24 p.m., 2/12/2020)
Lowell Elementary's lock-in has been lifted.
(UPDATE, 12:30 p.m., 2/12/2020) While the situation in downtown Missoula remains active, some lockdown orders have been lifted.
In a social media post, Missoula County, Montana - Government wrote the lockdowns for the Health Department, Partnership Health Center, and Missoula Public Library have been lifted.
The orders remain in place for the Missoula County Courthouse and adjacent buildings as well as the Administration Building, RVS, and Youth Court facilities.
A heavy police presence remains in downtown Missoula and the public is asked to avoid the area.
The lock-in at Hellgate High School has also been lifted.
We will continue to update you with any new information.
(1ST REPORT, 11:56 a.m., 2/12/2020) Several areas of downtown Missoula are still under lockdown and Broadway Street in front of the Missoula County Courthouse has been shut down after shots were fired at a police car Wednesday morning.
The Missoula Police Department has blocked a portion of downtown Missoula near the police department and the Mountain Line transfer station. The public cannot enter City Hall and the Missoula County Courthouse and people are asked to avoid the areas of Ryman and Pine, Ryman and Broadway, and Woody and Broadway. Anyone in the downtown area is asked to shelter in place and lock all doors.
Missoula County departments will not be able to provide public services at this time.
PREVIOUSLY:
Heavy police presence near Missoula county courthouse
Hellgate High School and Lowell Elementary School are on a perimeter lock-in as a precaution. There is no immediate threat to the buildings, however, students cannot be released for lunch.
MCPS spokesperson Hatton Littman says students and staff are not allowed in or out of the buildings.
At this time, no injuries have been reported and no suspect details have been released.
This is an ongoing situation and we will update you with any new information.
