Police investigating noose hanging from a utility pole in downtown Billings as a possible hate crime

Police in Montana’s largest city are investigating a noose tied around a utility pole Sunday morning in downtown Billings. It appeared less than 50 feet from the tour bus of a famous Black musician who was performing Sunday night with Lyle Lovett at the Alberta Bair Theatre.

The public information officer for the City of Billings said police are handling this as a hate crime investigation, but have little information. They are asking the public to share any information that may lead them to figure out the purpose of, and how the noose and rope, tied in a hangman’s knot, got there.

Victoria Hill, spokeswoman for the city, said that police pulled surveillance video from the area in attempt to see who placed it there, but were unsuccessful.

The noose appeared on the utility pole on the corner of First Avenue North and 26^th Street North, next to the parking garage, less than 50 feet from where Gary Clark, Jr.’s bus was parked. According to social media accounts the noose was noticed Sunday, when band members who were performing on that night went back to retrieve a few items. They told police the noose had not been there previously.

A statement issued by Billings Mayor Bill Cole, who also planned on reading it during the regularly scheduled council meeting on Monday said, in part, “The Billings Police Department is continuing to investigate this incident. If you have any information, please contact law enforcement. Your city council, police department, and city leaders take this matter very seriously. We condemn any hateful speech or symbols of hate in our community.”