16-year-old Ronan shooting suspect apprehended after crash
The Ronan Police Department has been actively working the shooting investigation that took place on Thursday, Nov. 15 in the 300 block of 12th Ave. NW in Ronan.
The Ronan Police Department was assisted by the Lake County Attorney’s Office, Lake County Youth Court, CSKT Tribal Law and Order and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation.
On Nov. 17, a CSKT Tribal Officer saw the suspect in a vehicle in the Pablo area. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle to apprehend the 16-year-old juvenile for the shooting incident.
The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. The CSKT Tribal Officer asked for assistance from the Ronan Police Department K9 team as well as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
During the pursuit a 9mm handgun was thrown from the vehicle and the occupants inside of the vehicle switched spots while the vehicle was being pursued. This put the shooting suspect into the driver’s seat. The pursuit continued until the vehicle crashed and overturned on Duck Road (north of Charlo). Occupants were ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle was on fire, and Charlo and Ronan fire departments were called to the scene along with Ronan/Polson Ambulance Service.
The suspect fled on foot and was eventually taken into custody by law enforcement with the use of Ronan Police K9 Sandor.
All four occupants involved were taken to hospitals in Ronan, Polson and Missoula to be treated for their injuries. The suspect was transported to a secure facility in Missoula by the Ronan Police Department.
According to the Ronan Police Department, officers learned there was a 25-year-old woman seeking treatment for a gunshot wound at St. Luke’s Hospital in Ronan. As of Friday, Nov. 16 the woman was reported to be in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries. Officials haven’t announced the name of the victim,
The Ronan Police Department would like to thank the CSKT Tribal Law and Order, Lake County Attorney’s Office, Lake County Youth Court, Lake County Dispatch, Montana Highway Patrol, St. Ignatius Police Department, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation and assistance in the case.
We are grateful for the communities’ support and their tips during the course of this investigation.