Cane Attack at a Missoula Shelter Leads to a 5th DUI Arrest

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 29, 2026, at approximately 3:53 PM, a Missoula Police Department officer was dispatched to an assault call at the Poverello Center. Dispatch notes indicated that a male had been struck in the head with a cane and was beginning to fall asleep. 

The officer arrived and met with the reporting party. He said that the male on the ground had been hit in the head by another male and needed medical attention. He also identified the suspect as “Frank” and pointed to a black truck occupied by a male in the driver’s seat. 

First, the officer spoke with the hurt male, John Doe, who stated that he did not know what had happened, only that his head hurt. The officer asked Doe if he wanted to press charges for the assault, and he declined. 

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As medical personnel arrived, the officer approached the male in the driver’s seat of the truck. The male was later identified as 61-year-old Francis Henry. Henry was sitting in the driver’s seat of a 1996 black Nissan, and the keys were in the ignition. 

Self-Defense Claims and Sobriety Observations

Henry began to explain what happened and claimed it was self-defense. As Henry was speaking, the officer observed that Henry had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath and person. Based on these observations, the officer asked Henry if he had consumed any alcohol that day. Henry stated that he had a few drinks but claimed he was not driving.  

The officer explained the concept of actual physical control to Henry and requested that he step out of the vehicle to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Henry refused to participate in the tests. The officer then advised Henry to step out of the vehicle as he was under arrest. Henry stepped out of the vehicle and followed the officer’s commands to walk to the front of the patrol vehicle. Henry was searched incident to arrest and placed in the back of the officer’s patrol vehicle.  

The officer read Henry the Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test form and requested a breath sample. Henry refused to provide a breath sample. The officer then read Henry the Montana Implied Consent form and requested a blood sample. Henry refused to provide a blood sample.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Warrant for Blood Draw and Arrest Procedure

The officer transported Henry to the Ryman Street police station, placed him in a holding cell, and applied for a warrant. After the warrant was approved, the officer removed Henry from the holding cell, placed him back in the patrol vehicle, and transported him to St. Patrick’s Hospital to obtain a blood draw. At the hospital, the officer obtained two vials of blood from Henry without incident. The officer then remanded Henry to the Missoula County Detention Facility. 

Henry is currently being charged with felony DUI, fifth offense. A review of Henry’s prior cases with the Missoula County Attorney’s Office established that he was convicted of DUI 4th Office on April 23, 2023. 

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