Big Sky Times

A barricaded suspect in Missoula who fired shots at police officers, injuring one, surrendered on Saturday, March 18. 

The suspect, identified as Mary White Crane, 57, was evaluated by a medical team before being transported to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility.

The officers responded to a complaint of shots being fired in the area by closing down Birch Lane and the 1000 block of Bench Boulevard, NBC Montana reported. The initial investigation showed that the suspect employed a pistol with a small caliber or a high-powered air rifle that was capable of breaching external windows. After the suspect had shown no signs of willingness to cooperate for two hours, the Billings Police Department's SWAT unit and their negotiators were called into action, according to the report.

Officers attempted to establish a line of communication with the suspect by providing a throw phone; however, the suspect opened fire on them, wounding one of the officers, the report said. The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, the Gallatin County SWAT Team and the Lewis and Clark County SWAT Team were among the supporting agencies that were requested to respond and help. 

The SWAT forces were successful in containing the subject and controlling his movements for several hours during the standoff. The Billings Fire Department provided the tactical teams with a fire hose. After spraying water into the apartment, Crane became cooperative and eventually gave herself up.

Crane is facing various charges related to the incident, including one count of attempted purposeful killing, three counts of felony criminal endangerment and two counts of criminal mischief.