Angry Ex-Boyfriend Destroys Man’s Car in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 20, 2026, a Missoula County Sherriff’s Office Deputy received a report of criminal mischief that occurred in the 7800 block of Bear Drive. The reporting party, John Doe, advised dispatch that his vehicle was broken into, vandalized, keyed, and all four of his tires were flat. The deputy contacted Doe who explained that he had driven to the incident address the previous night to meet a female named. Doe recalled last seeing his vehicle around 2:00 a.m. with no damage.  

Then at approximately 8:00 a.m., when attempting to drive home, Doe found his vehicle, a 2014 Audi, with significant damage. The deputy met with Doe and observed all four tires flattened, multiple scratch marks on the front and rear bumpers, on all doors, and across the hood and gas cap of the Audi. The deputy also observed damage to the plastic running board located near the driver’s side door. There was also a slash mark on the driver’s seat and two separate cut marks on the backrest of the driver’s seat.  

Doe also discovered that his wallet was missing from inside the vehicle, which had contained a $100 bill, his Montana driver’s license, Tribal ID card, Scheel’s credit card, and a Valley Bank debit card. Doe estimated the damage to his Audi to be around $6,000 to $7,000. Doe told the deputy that he was unsure who may have damaged his vehicle, but knew the female had an ex-boyfriend whom he had never met.  

A Suspect Identified: The Ex-Boyfriend Connection

Then the deputy contacted the female, who said that she had just learned from a neighbor that her ex-boyfriend, later identified as Gatlin Sky Morning, was living out of a vehicle parked approximately three houses away from her.  

Shortly after, the deputy drove to the incident location and immediately observed Gatlin near the front of the neighbor’s residence. As soon as the deputy exited his patrol vehicle, Gatlin turned around and began to run toward the back of the property. The deputy yelled for Gatlin to stop. Soon after, Gatlin gave up and placed his hands in the air. The deputy told Gatlin he was under arrest for obstructing.  

During a search incident to arrest, the deputy located in Gatlin’s pockets a $100 bill, which was located in a different pocket separate from the rest of Gatlin’s money, a red and black Phillips head screwdriver, a gray phone charger, and several cards bearing Doe’s name, including Doe's driver’s license, US passport card, tribal ID, Valley Bank debit card, Scheel’s credit card, and various other bank and identification cards also bearing Doe’s name.  

Then the deputy��spoke with a male who lives with the neighbor. He said that he allowed Gatlin to remain on his property and sleep in his vehicles, including a Ford Expedition and a Buick Lucerne. He recalled seeing Gatlin sleeping in his Buick Lucerne that morning. He said that he keeps a Stainless Steel Hibben Knife sheathed under the passenger seat of his Buick, but he noticed that morning that the knife was lying near the center console of his Gray Ford Expedition. Bolton confirmed that no one other than Gatlin had access to his vehicles.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

The Knife: A Weapon of Vandalism?

The deputy then located the knife, unsheathed. The knife appeared slightly bent with significant black residue on the blade near the tip of the knife. The deputy believed the blade was most likely used to damage Doe’s Audi.  

The deputy then spoke with Gatlin, who eventually stated he and the female were ex-partners who had a child together. Earlier that morning, Gatlin saw an Audi parked in the female’s driveway. According to court documents, Gatlin said he entered the Audi and removed the wallet to determine who was with the female. Gatlin then explained he became extremely angry with the female, stating he “blanked out” due to his anger and jealousy. Gatlin then claimed he used the screwdriver to puncture the tires of the Audi and to scratch the paint of the vehicle. Gatlin denied using the knife to cause damage to the Audi because he is not allowed to possess any weapons. 

Gatlin is currently being charged with felony criminal mischief, criminal trespass to vehicles, theft, and obstructing a peace officer. His bond was set at $25,000. 

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