Lake County officer involved shooting

The Lake County Sheriff's office announced Tuesday that an officer was involved in a fatal shooting on Monday near St. Ignatius.

According to the press release, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a request on April 24 from a citizen to aid him in a welfare check. At about 2:30 p.m. a deputy went to the residence on Cold Creek Lane, southeast of St. Ignatius with the citizen.

Shortly after their arrival, the person who was the subject of the welfare check brandished a large bowie knife and charged at the deputy and citizen. The deputy shot the man wielding the knife before he was able to injure the deputy and citizen.

The man, identified as 27-year-old Christopher Ochs of Missoula, died at the scene.

The name of the officer was not released, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation of the incident.

The Missoula County Coroner’s Office is handling the death investigation. "The Lake County Sheriff's Office send our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Ochs," said Sheriff Don Bell.