A 16-year-old boy suspected in a shooting last week in Ronan was taken into custody Saturday after wrecking a car he used in an attempt to flee from area law-enforcement officers.

According to information from the Ronan Police Department, the teen, who hasn’t been identified, was spotted by a Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal officer Saturday in the Pablo area. When the officer tried to stop the vehicle, the driver didn’t stop and the officer chased it. Officers from the Ronan Police Department K9 team as well as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office joined in the chase.

During the chase a 9 mm hand gun was thrown from the vehicle and the occupants inside the vehicle switched spots during the chase, with the shooting suspect moving into the driver’s seat. The pursuit continued until the vehicle crashed and overturned on Duck Road, ejecting the occupants. The vehicle caught fire and fire departments from Charlo and Ronan were called to the scene along with the Ronan/Polson Ambulance Service.

The suspect fled on foot and eventually was taken into custody by law enforcement with the use of Ronan Police K-9 Sandor.

All four occupants involved were taken to hospitals in Ronan, Polson and Missoula to be treated for their injuries.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a secure facility in Missoula by the Ronan Police Department.

The shooting occurred Nov. 15 in the 300 block of 12th Ave. NW in Ronan. The victim was a 25-year-old woman. She was reported to be in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials haven’t released the name of the suspect or the victim.

The Ronan Police Department was assisted by the Lake County Attorney’s Office, Lake County Youth Court, CSKT Tribal Law and Order and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation.

“The Ronan Police Department would like to thank the CSKT Tribal Law and Order, Lake County Attorney’s Office, Lake County Youth Court, Lake County Dispatch, Montana Highway Patrol, St. Ignatius Police Department, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation and assistance in the case,” Ronan Police Chief Dan Weaver said in a prepared statement. “We are grateful for the communities’ support and their tips during the course of this investigation.”

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.