DCI investigating officer-involved critical incident in Harlem

HARLEM – The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer-involved critical incident that occurred in Harlem.

On Thursday, September 24, at approximately 11:17 a.m., deputies with the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance call at 223 3rd Ave SW Apt. #2. The daughter of the victim called to report a male inside her mother's apartment who claimed to be armed with a high-powered rifle with her mother inside. The caller identified the male as 38-year-old Jordan Alexander Werk.

When deputies arrived, they attempted to speak with Werk through the apartment door to locate the caller’s mother and confirm her safety. Werk refused to cooperate with law enforcement and claimed the female was not at the apartment.

Due to concerns of domestic violence, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the apartment to locate the missing female, along with an arrest warrant for Werk. The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Central Montana High Risk Unit. Since the situation involved a possible hostage, additional assistance was requested from the Billings Police Department SWAT Team.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday, September 25, members of both tactical teams arrived at the scene. During this time, law enforcement continued working to establish communication with Werk, hoping to negotiate his surrender and to determine the female’s condition. Once tactical elements were in place, they began to utilize less-than-lethal force into the residence. Werk then partially exited the residence, and an exchange of gunfire took place between Werk and law enforcement.

Werk sustained fatal wounds and was pronounced deceased on scene. Two tactical team members received minor injuries and received medical attention at the scene. Law enforcement entered the apartment and located the female deceased inside.    

The Blaine County Sheriff's Office requested that DCI investigate. DCI is processing evidence and conducting witness interviews.This investigation remains active and no additional information will be released at this time.

As required by Montana law, a coroner’s inquest will be held at the conclusion of the investigation.

The Blaine County Sheriff's Office, the Valley County Sheriff's Office, Billings Police Department SWAT Team, the Central Montana High Risk Unit, the Great Falls Police Department, the Cascade County Sheriff's Office, the Montana Highway Patrol, Fort Belknap Tribal Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations responded to the incident.

###