September 13 Update:  MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — The ND Highway Patrol has identified the trooper who fatally shot a Montana man following a vehicle chase on Interstate 94 west of Mandan earlier this month. The patrol said Wednesday that Trooper Stephen Mayer killed the lone occupant of the vehicle, 45-year-old Craig Knutson, of Billings, Montana. Authorities have said the pursuit on the evening of Sept. 7 began about 7 miles east of Hebron and ended after deputies placed spike strips on the highway and Mayer used his cruiser to push the fleeing vehicle’s rear end sideways, sending it into a spin. After the vehicle stopped, Mayer saw that Knutson had a gun and told the three deputies at the scene about the weapon before he fired the fatal shot.

Previously

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper shot and killed a man following a pursuit on Interstate 94 in the western part of the state. The patrol says the shooting happened around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday about 13 miles west of Mandan. The trooper was assisting Morton County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a chase that originated with a report about a reckless driver. Forty-five-year-old Craig Knutson of Billings, Montana, was killed in the shooting. The patrol says a gun was found in Knutson’s vehicle, but Patrol Maj. Thomas Iverson declined to say whether Knutson had fired it or was even holding it before the trooper shot him.

Earlier….

Bismarck  (NDHP)  The ND Highway Patrol reports that on the evening of Tuesday Sept 7, at approximately 8:18 p.m., a ND Highway Patrol trooper was assisting Morton County Sheriff’s Office deputies in a pursuit of a vehicle traveling east on Interstate 94 near mile marker 139 or approximately 13 miles west of Mandan. The pursuit originated from a reckless driver call. When the pursuit ended, the trooper fired his duty weapon resulting in the death of the vehicle’s lone occupant, a 45-year-old Billings, Montana, man. A firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

The incident is under investigation by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The trooper has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation by BCI and review by the Morton County State’s Attorney, which is standard practice and department policy following an officer involved shooting.

North Dakota Highway Patrol troopers train extensively for high-risk incidents. We value each individual and understand that the loss of life is a tragic event.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol has a robust program in place to assist our troopers and their families through these difficult times.  A press conference is planned for Wednesday afternoon in Bismarck for further information.