Friends dedicate Facebook site to man shot by police officers

Family and friends dedicated a Facebook site to Michael Partlow who was shot by officers of the Jamestown Police Department Sunday morning.

Police said 27-year-old Partlow threatened three officers with a gun after they were called to Partlow’s apartment with the report of an armed man threatening suicide.

Partlow exited the front door of the building carrying a shotgun. Upon seeing the three officers, he chambered a round into the firearm, according to Police Chief Dave Donegan.

The three officers fired on the man, striking him several times.

Jamestown Police Department policy varies by situation, Donegan said.

“Their training is to protect themselves and others,” he said.

Partlow was taken by ambulance to Jamestown Hospital and later taken by air ambulance to Sanford Medical Center, Fargo.

Officials from Sanford said they were not authorized to release Partlow’s medical condition Monday afternoon. Partlow was in surgery Sunday.

Partlow’s aunt, Marlene Partlow of Kensal, N.D., started the Facebook site “Prayers for Michael Partlow.” As of Monday afternoon, friends and family had posted to the site’s wall, saying they were praying for Michael and wished him well.

“Dear Lord, Watch over Michael & his Doctor’s, & let Him know his life is valuable to You!!! Be with His family & friend’s,, & give them peace in knowing that You are alway’s in control.... In Jesus name I pray Amen,” said Lori Klose. Klose’s Facebook page said she lives in Mandan, N.D.

Chelsy Borthwick of James-town lives in the same apartment as Partlow. Bort­hwick said she was awake in her apartment with her daughter when she heard shots just after 2 a.m.

Borthwick said Partlow sometimes conversed with her and her young daughter and sometimes helped her carry groceries.

“He never seemed like the kind of person that would harm anybody,” she said.

Orange paint marked the ground outside the building Monday and oriented strand board covered a window broken in the shooting. Dry blood marks the ground and window.

“It was quite a scary night,” Borthwick said.

The three officers are on paid administrative leave pending the investigation. Administrative leave allows the officers to recuperate and receive assistance if they need it, Donegan said.

“It’s not saying anybody did anything wrong,” he said.

The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan-Anderson can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com

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