Missoula Man Shoots BB Gun at Dogs, Hits Woman Instead

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 24, 2023, a Missoula Police Department Officer responded to the 1700 block of S. 6th St. for the report of a shooting. The caller reported that an unknown person was shooting at her with a BB gun. When the officer arrived at the scene, she made contact with the victim. The officer noticed that the victim was holding a towel around her arm and that her arm was bleeding. 

The victim reported that she owns a daycare for dogs which is a properly licensed business. She stated that several months ago, one of the dogs had been shot with a BB gun but she did not know when or how it had occurred. She also mentioned that an unknown person had called Animal Control to complain about the dogs, but no action was taken. 

The victim reported that she was feeling afraid and that she felt she was being “targeted”. The officer also spoke with another woman in the residence who had been with the victim in the yard when she heard the victim say, “Oh my God, I’ve been shot”. She reported hearing a “snap, tick, snap, tick” sound near the west fence of the backyard.  

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It appeared that the shot came from above. The officer noticed an apartment complex nearby and other officers patrolled the area to determine where the shot had originated from. They eventually found a window screen with holes in it. The location of the window and the downward trajectory towards the backyard were consistent with where the noises had been observed and where the victim had been standing when she was shot. 

Officers made contact with the apartment resident and he was identified as 43-year-old Aaron Ricci. According to court documents, Ricci stated he has had a hard time with “those dogs” and their barking. Ricci said he woke up with a bad headache and “might of just tried to dry fire that thing”. Ricci referred to a long rifle pellet gun which he said he believed had one pellet in it.  

Ricci said he was aiming at the dog to stop the barking. He gave the officer permission to enter the residence and collect his screen for evidence. The officer noticed the window had a clear view of the victim’s backyard and that the screen had many holes in it. Ultimately, 23 small holes were counted in the screen and were consistent with the size of a BB gun pellet. 

Ricci was placed under arrest and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon. On August 25, 2023, Ricci made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $20,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.