Press Release: Officer-Involved Shooting Near Stevensville Identified
STEVENSVILLE, MT – The individual fatally shot in an officer-involved incident on the morning of November 21, 2024, has been identified as 50-year-old Laurence John Conklin. The shooting occurred as a deputy with the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service at Conklin’s residence, located north of Stevensville.
According to Chase Scheuer, press secretary for the Montana Attorney General, the deputy involved in the incident has approximately 18 months of law enforcement experience and was uninjured during the confrontation. Sheriff Steve Holton confirmed that Conklin was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the incident unfolded.
In light of the events, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has been called upon to investigate the shooting, with assistance from the Missoula County Coroner’s Office. This decision aims to ensure a thorough and transparent examination of the events surrounding the incident. Following the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be referred to the Ravalli County Attorney’s Office, which will facilitate a Coroner’s Inquest.
As part of standard procedure in such cases, the involved deputy has been placed on administrative leave, allowing for a careful review of the circumstances without any immediate pressure on the personnel involved.
Sheriff Holton emphasized the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to transparency and the importance of utilizing external agencies to mitigate any potential conflicts of interest. The DCI’s investigation is underway as the community processes the implications of this tragic event. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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