Durango (AP) A man killed in a shootout with authorities near Silverton has been identified as 23–year–old Manuel Meastas of Grand Junction. District Attorney Craig Westberg says he believes the officers' actions were justified.
Authorities say a suspect driving erratically and wearing a ski mask led them on a high–speed chase that began near Ouray Sunday. They say he tried to run over a state patrol trooper, who then fired shots at the suspect but didn't hit him.
Authorities say the suspect later fired a rifle at authorities, donned a bulletproof vest and pointed his rifle at San Juan County Undersheriff Mike McQueen, who fired a fatal shot to the suspect's head.
Westberg says Meastas had a lengthy criminal record.
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