UPDATE: The man who is deceased has been identified as in a press release sent on Saturday evening the Granite County Sheriff's Office, Salvatore Friscia Jr a 48 year-old, living in the Missoula area.
Friscia was transported to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula for autopsy.
According to the press release the investigation indicates drugs may have been a factor regarding the deceased behavior.
Toxicology reports are pending.
The Montana Department of Criminal investigation continues to investigate the matter and upon completion of the investigation the case will be forwarded to the Granite County Attorney’s Office for review.
Anaconda Deer Lodge Coroner, Jesse Billquist-Jette has taken jurisdiction of the Coroner duties and will conduct a Coroner’s inquest in conjunction with the County Attorney’s Office.Granite County Sheriff Scott Dunkerson says a deputy shot and killed an individual Thursday evening following an incident near Philipsburg.
According to Dunkerson, dispatchers received a report of a suspect using his vehicle to ram other vehicles at Sunshine Station on Highway 1 around 7:00 p.m.
A Granite County Deputy and a Fish and Game Warden responded to the incident.
Dunkerson said the deputy and game warden were unable to stop the suspect before he hit another vehicle and the deputy's patrol vehicle.
The deputy then fired his weapon to stop the suspect.
The suspect did not survive. The deputy and the game warden were uninjured.
Dunkerson said he has asked the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and an independent coroner to conduct the investigation.
The identity of the suspect has not been released. The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave.
