Officials identify man killed in officer-involved shooting

HELENA (AP) — State officials have released the name of a 20-year-old man who was fatally shot by an officer on U.S. Highway 191 southwest of Malta.

The Department of Justice identified the victim as Emil Ambros Mecklenburg of Malta. An autopsy was scheduled Thursday in Billings.

Officials say Mecklenburg was shot and killed early Wednesday after stabbing a Phillips County sheriff’s deputy who had responded to a report of suspicious man walking along the highway.

Deputy Alan Guderjahn was still being held for medical observation. DOJ spokesman John Barnes says it was expected that Guderjahn will be released from the hospital in Great Falls either Thursday or today.

Agents with the state Division of Criminal Investigation are still investigating the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, a coroner’s inquest will be scheduled.