Baseball Bat Assault Leaves Two Men Hospitalized in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 11, 2025, Missoula Police Department Officers responded to Cedar St. for a report of a physical fight. Dispatch advised officers that a suspect had a baseball bat and had taken off on foot, towards the Citi Lodge. Officers responded, were flagged down by several individuals, and were told to go to the backside of the Poverello Center.  

An officer went around the building and observed two males sitting on the bench by the back door. The officer observed one male roll forward, falling, and hitting his head on the concrete. The officer rolled the male, John Doe 1, over. Doe 1 was unresponsive. After yelling his name multiple times, Doe 1 eventually opened his eyes, but he could not talk. The officer noticed Doe 1’s hand was scraped, and there seemed to be something sticking out of his arm. 

Multiple people attempted to assist, and they identified the suspect as 34-year-old Phillip Smallray. The officer observed another male, John Doe 2, sitting on the bench. Doe 2 appeared to have a very large laceration above his left eyebrow that was bleeding profusely. Another officer provided medical aid to Doe 2 until the fire department arrived.  The officer helped Doe 2 into an ambulance to St. Patrick Hospital. Doe 1 was also transported via ambulance.  

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Officers Searched for the Suspect

During this time, another officer, assisted by K9 Lux, began to track Smallray. A few minutes later, they located Smallray curled into the fetal position on the water's edge off the eroded bank. Officers took Smallray into custody. The officer and K9 Lux attempted an article search for the bat used in the assault, but it was not recovered.  

An officer spoke with a Poverello Center employee, who said Smallray was the one who had hit the two males with the bat. He said Smallray got into an argument with Doe 1 and Doe 2 30 minutes earlier and then came back with the bat. Without saying anything, Smallray started hitting them. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Both Victims Sustained Serious Injuries

Officers responded to St. Patrick Hospital to obtain additional information. Doe 2 had sustained a large laceration above his left eye, and Doe 1’s right arm was broken. Doe 1 was unable to give a further statement, as he was in and out of consciousness and unable to talk. An officer attempted to speak to Doe 2; however, Doe 2 was on a lot of pain medication and stated he did not remember. 

The officer observed the large laceration above Doe 2’s eyebrow and noted that Doe 2’s skull could be seen. According to court documents, a doctor stated Doe 2 had a skull fracture and a brain bleed, and due to the trauma, Doe 2 could have short-term memory loss. 

Smallray was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with two counts of felony assault with a weapon. His bond was set at $50,000. 

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