× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

The Missoula man who was killed by a city police officer Wednesday morning was allegedly strangling his girlfriend in the car before the officer fired the lethal shot.

Authorities haven't released the names of the officer or the deceased man.

Police initially responded to a 9-1-1 domestic disturbance call at a Missoula home involving two women and the 20-year old man. The time was 2:04 a.m.

The man fled the scene, taking his girlfriend hostage, Missoula County sheriff's spokeswoman Paige Pavalone explained Wednesday afternoon.

"He was non-compliant with the officers' instructions and negotiation efforts," Pavalone said.

According to a written report issued by the sheriff's office, the intoxicated man led police through downtown and along West Broadway. Officers attempted to apprehend him in front of Safeway, but he fled again, leading officers on a high-speed chase further west on Broadway.

He attempted to drive the wrong way up the North Reserve Street ramp, where his car inexplicably stopped, Pavalone said.

"The vehicle just died," she said. "They don't know how it died. It could have been because it ran out of gas, but that will be determined later."