Previous 'Beef' Leads to Stabbing Incident in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 24, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to the area of Brooks and Fairview for a report of an assault. Dispatch relayed that two males were fighting and one was possibly stabbed. The victim of the stabbing was reported to be in the parking lot of the Montana Club.

Officers responded and found a male, John Doe, with a laceration to his left hand that appeared to be bleeding. The wound appeared consistent with a defensive wound from a knife. Doe also identified an injury to his left chest, which appeared to be consistent with a knife puncture.

Officers noted that Doe was not very cooperative with their questions and only provided the first name of the individual who stabbed him, Cory, and a direction of travel. An officer quickly located the suspect, 39-year-old Cory Williams. Once Doe was evaluated by medical, an officer continued to speak with him.

Doe Shares His Side of the Story

Doe stated he observed Williams walking down the street near him. Doe stated he had some old "beef" with Williams and wanted to settle the issue. Doe reported he approached Williams and challenged Williams to fight. Doe denied getting closer than 3-4 feet of Williams while challenging him to fight and stated Williams then pulled out a knife.

According to court documents, Doe described this as Williams trying to "kill him.” Doe reported that Williams continued to come at him until he backed into the street to get away. Doe then continued to walk away from Williams, eventually arriving at the Montana Club.

Witness Explains What Happened

The officer then contacted the original 911 caller who stated he was driving when he observed Williams and Doe fighting on the side of the road. The witness stated Williams appeared to "stab" Doe and observed Doe grab onto his rib cage, the same area where a stab wound was located on Doe.

The caller reported that Doe and Williams continued to swing at each other and eventually Doe went across the street, appearing to "try to avoid the altercation", and Williams followed. The caller described Williams as "chasing the other guy".

Williams Provides a Statement

The officer then responded to Williams’ location and reminded him that his Miranda rights still applied from having been read them earlier by another officer. Williams stated, he and Doe were involved in a physical altercation. Williams confirmed this was over some previous "beef".

Williams stated he was physically attacked because he stuck up for himself. Williams denied stabbing Doe during the altercation. Williams stated when Doe ran across the street during the altercation, Williams followed to tell Doe, "I'm not the one.” Williams then claimed he was not chasing Doe. Williams then invoked his right to remain silent.

Williams was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon.

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