GREAT FALLS, Mont. (NMB) – The Great Falls Police Department says the suspect in a homicide and kidnapping that began at the 3000 block of 6th Street North was fatally shot by an officer following a lengthy pursuit on the morning of July 15th.
The victim, who was found dead in the residence, has been identified as 51-year-old Patricia Putnam, with a cause of death confirmed as multiple gunshot wounds.
The suspect, 24-year-old Xavier Hutt of Missoula, fled the residence in a vehicle while holding a different woman against her will. The pursuit stretched 170 miles and lasted several hours before Hutt was shot and killed by an officer in Flathead County.
The woman was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities say that Hutt was armed with a firearm.
The incident remains under investigation.
