Montana Teenager Shot By Police

[Captain Crunch]

This is a distressing situation all around, both for the teen's family and the officers involved.

The moral is, if you're old enough to do the crime, you're old enough to suffer the consequences.

Apr 26, 10:21 PM EDT


Report: Officers justified in fatal shooting near Fort Benton







HELENA, Mont. (AP) -- A Chouteau County sheriff's deputy and a Montana Highway Patrol officer were justified in fatally shooting a 13-year-old boy near Fort Benton, the administrator for the state Division of Criminal Investigation said.

"They did what they had to do based on their training and based on the situation they encountered," Mike Batista said.

Batista said the boy, Mark A. Keeley of Havre, fired a shotgun at the officers several times early Sunday.

Officials say Keeley was driving a car, believed to have been stolen in Havre, that matched the description of a reported gas drive-off in Chester, about 55 miles north of Fort Benton.

The boy would not pull over, and a Montana Highway Patrol trooper later stopped the car by placing "stop sticks" on the highway about five miles north of Fort Benton, Sheriff Vern Burdick said. He said the boy then fired a gun, striking the deputy's patrol car, and continued driving south on Montana 223.

Just north of Fort Benton the driver fired multiple rounds at the deputy and the trooper, who both returned fire, Burdick said. Keeley was in the front seat when he was shot, and was still alive when officers pulled him out.

The teen was flown to a hospital in Great Falls, where he was pronounced dead.

"(Keeley) had a second opportunity not to engage the officers and he continued to fire shots," Batista said. "Based on their experience, this was a deadly encounter and they had a right to respond accordingly."

The road was closed for most of the day Sunday while the shooting was investigated. Four state investigators cleared the scene Wednesday - the same day as Keeley's funeral.

The officers involved remain on paid administrative leave.

Batista said it could be two months before a coroner's inquest would be held.

Keeley's grandfather, also named Mark, said the family knows nothing more than what they've read in the news.

"All I can tell you is they're not really telling us anything," he said. "They keep telling us we'll learn everything in two months."

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[havegunjoe]

Dead over a stollen car and some gas. Willing to kill a police officer over the same. How stupid can you get?

[P95Carry]

fired a shotgun at the officers several times

Sad to say - age does not come into this equation. The cops had little choice in such circumstances.

[fed_wif_a_sig]

I thank God alot that my "child" decided to drop his gun before I was forced to shoot. I can't think of a harder thing for an officer to go through, except maybe a blue on blue. Those two are in my prayers, as are the family of the suspect.

[goawayfarm]

Sad end.........

Today's youth just don't have the respect that we had at that age. Part is due to the decline of our culture.

Kid's this age are doing a lot of serious crimes 'cause we're juviniles & won't get prosecuted'. My mother worked at a middle school in a suburb of Richmond, Va. While there, they had a 13 year old who didn't like to ride the bus to school........his answer was to steal CARS & drive them to school!

[6285is10-8]

A POS in training is dead...what's so sad...got to him before he became a pro Good job gentleman

[retsupt99]

This little 'thug wannabe' got exactly what he deserved. Where were his parents? The little $#!! should have been at home, not out stealing cars and shooting guns at police officers...

Stay armed...stay safe!

ret

[srfl]

Sucks that the responding LEOs were forced to engage the kid. I'm glad they are ok....physically at least.

[rocky]

The officers involved seem to have little choice. The death of anyone is not good. This incident is unfortunate for all involved. Anyone who celebrates this boys death, I say to you "Grow Up !"

[Geezer]

13 years old and already out stealing cars, gas, and shooting at police officers. It's too bad he decided to have himself killed, but society is much better off with him and his kind. The parents should be held responsible and liable for all the damages. They got what they deserved.

[ccw9mm]

If true, if what has been reported represents the basic facts ...

Report of stolen gasoline; a simple traffic stop; occupants fire on officers multiple times; then, the officers use the degree of force necessary to terminate the threat to the officers and others. That's about how these things go. Short of the attacker laying down his arms and stopping his murderous attack, this is about the best outcome, all things considered. Could have been far worse.

Turns out the criminal is a bit under-aged. Any death is a concern. The death of a particularly young person is tragic, given the full life he could have led. He seemingly chose his path via the adult-grade decision to live a day of crime. That was justifiably met with an adult-grade response to his murderous attack. Thankfully to innocents, his attack was unsuccessful.

My condolences to his family, who must be wrestling with conflicting emotions right about now. I'm sure those within a 100mi radius will now sleep a bit better knowing this felon-in-training is no longer a threat.

[BruceGibson]

Tragedy all around. And 13-years old. I'm thankful the officers weren't injured.

[SatCong]

Dead over a stollen car and some gas. Willing to kill a police officer over the same. How stupid can you get?

Old saying Young & Dumb!

[Tom G]

When they shoot at the cops it's time to shoot back. This kid is as dangerous as an adult with a gun.

[ccw9mm]

When they shoot at the cops it's time to shoot back. This kid is as dangerous as an adult with a gun.

Not anymore.