Inmate Shot By Deputy Inside Hospital During Hostage Situation

Glasgow, MT – A jail inmate was shot by a Valley County deputy after the prisoner took someone hostage inside a local hospital on Wednesday, according to the sheriff.

The incident occurred at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital on Third Street South at approximately 2:35 p.m. on March 29, Valley County Sheriff Tom Boyer said in a press release.

Valley County deputies, a Valley County detention officer, and a hospital employee were at the medical facility with a detention center inmate when a “hostage situation” occurred, Sheriff Boyer said.

Details regarding how the inmate was able to take someone hostage have not been released.

One of the deputies brought the situation to an end by shooting the inmate.

“The incident was a hostage situation and was resolved by a deputy discharging his duty weapon to protect the life of the innocent,” Sheriff Boyer confirmed.

No law enforcement officers, hospital workers, or civilians were injured during the incident.

“The public is not at risk,” the sheriff said.

The inmate was airlifted to a hospital in Billings for treatment, FOX News reported.

The suspect’s name was not immediately released, nor was the extent of their injuries or why they had been taken to Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in the first place.

The incident caused a brief lockdown at the medical facility, The Glasgow Courier reported.

The South employee parking lot and the Southwing entrance both remained closed in the wake of the shooting and all services housed in the Southwing portion of the hospital were suspended through the end of the week, according to the paper.

Sheriff Boyer said the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is handling the ongoing investigation into the shooting at his request.

He said he also asked Phillips County Sheriff Jerry Lytle to conduct the administrative review of the incident “to ensure transparency.”

“All names are being withheld during the investigative process,” Sheriff Boyer said. “Further information will be released as it becomes available.”

“I want to thank all of those involved tasked with the duty of keeping us safe,” the sheriff continued. “I am especially grateful for the assistance from the staff at Francis Mahon Deaconess Hospital for the prompt response and life saving measure provided.”