Man Threatens Driver With a Hatchet on a Popular Missoula Street

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 11, 2023, Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to a report of a male brandishing a hatchet in traffic near W. Broadway and Russell Street. An officer made contact with the original caller, John Doe, who stated a male came out of an apartment and threatened him with a hatchet.  

Doe stated he was sitting in his truck when the male came down the street and was yelling at him. Doe noticed the male had a hatchet in his right hand. The male asked Doe why Doe had been messing with his medication. Doe told the male that he did not know who he was and the male then responded, “I’m going to kill you, you mother f****r.” 

Doe said he told the male to step back and said, “no, you’re not going to kill me.” Doe stated he then showed the male a .357 firearm, which was still in the holster on his belt and advised the male that if he took another step, he would die right where he stood. The male responded by saying again he was going to kill Doe. 

Doe stated the male had body language including a bladed stance with his right arm extended behind his waist, as if he was going to swing the hatchet. Doe stated he felt the male was going to swing and hit him with the hatchet, stating the male was approximately two feet from the driver’s side of his truck. 

Doe Sees the Suspect Again 

Doe was later able to point to the male near Russell Street and identified him to law enforcement. He also pointed out the apartment that the male had exited. Officers cleared the apartment to make sure no victims of assault were inside and in doing so, located the hatchet on the floor of the apartment. The hatchet was approximately 14 inches in length with a black handle. 

According to court documents, the male was identified as 47-year-old Brian Kitts. Kitts was placed under arrest and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center.  

An officer also spoke with a female who stated she was at the light behind Doe’s pickup and observed their interaction. She said she saw Kitts brandishing the hatchet above his head and that he was 1-2 feet away from the driver’s window.  

Fearing what Kitts might do, the female rolled up her window. She then saw Kitts leave Doe’s pickup and walk back to her vehicle.  Based on seeing Kitts’s interaction with Doe, as Kitts approached her car, she stated she absolutely thought she would be hurt and she was thankful she had rolled her window up. 

Kitts is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon. On August 14, 2023, Kitts made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $25,000. 

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