At approximately 6:30pm on Friday, November 13, Stillwater County 911 received a report of a person throwing “flaming objects” from a car window on I-90 near mile marker 422. Multiple brush fires were reported along I-90 in the area. After a Columbus Police officer, Stillwater County deputy and a Montana Highway Patrol trooper located the suspect vehicle travelling westbound on I-90, the driver accelerated beyond the speed limit but eventually stopped near mile marker 403. During the stop, the driver refused to cooperate. A confrontation ensued and the trooper discharged one round from a department-issued shotgun. The suspect died at the scene. No officers were injured. The suspect is identified as Charles Craig Meeks, age 38, of Pinedale, Wyoming.

Agents with the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) are investigating. Per standard procedure, the Columbus Police officer, Stillwater County deputy, Montana Highway Patrol trooper involved in the incident are on administrative leave while the investigation continues.

Once the investigation is complete, DCI will give the case file to the Stillwater County Attorney’s Office for review. The county attorney and coroner will schedule an inquest pursuant to state law (Montana Code Annotated § 46-4-201).