Hamilton Police Chief Allan Auch said in a press release that the two officers went to a residence on the north side of town after getting a report that the fugitive was there.
Auch said that as the officers approached the fugitive, he "gained access to a handgun" and charged the officers. During the incident, the fugitive sustained a gunshot wound to the head and died on the scene, Auch said.
Auch did say in his statement that the fugitive had been charged in Washington state with three counts of child molestation in the first degree and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. The fugitive, Auch said, did not appear for his arraignment. Authorities said his name would be released following notification of family members.
Auch said the investigation into the incident was continuing and that additional information could be released as early as Wednesday afternoon.
Auch said that he had asked the Missoula County Sheriff's Department to assist in the investigation.
Missoula County Sheriff Mike McMeekin said Tuesday night that it's standard procedure for a law-enforcement agency to ask for outside help when a shooting incident involves its own officers. McMeekin also said that Missoula County officers would help with counseling the officers involved, as needed.
Ravalli County Attorney George Corn referred questions Tuesday night to Auch's statement.
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