How A Cane Became A Weapon In Missoula Altercation

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 10, 2025, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to the Poverello Center for a report of a fight involving a knife and a cane. The 911 caller described the subject with the knife as being shirtless, with green pants and combat boots. The subject with the cane, later identified as 58-year-old Leonard Allen, was described as a male in a black vest, with no shirt and jeans.

An officer arrived and located the male, John Doe, who was observed with green pants and combat boots. Doe stated he and his wife had been on the sidewalk next to Winds of Change while their bikes had been in the parking spots along Cedar Street. He said Allen came over to them, kicked over their bikes, and started swinging his cane at them.

Doe reported he has a plate in his head due to an injury from his time in the military, and when Allen was swinging the cane at him, Doe was scared the plate would become dislodged, leading to his death. Upon having the cane swung at him, Doe got a frying pan to defend himself. The officer’s report notes that Doe broke the frying pan off the handle, and the handle looked like it could have been a knife.

Get our free mobile app

During this same time, an officer spoke with an employee of the POV, who informed him that multiple people had been complaining about Allen threatening them over the last two hours or so. The employee reported taking a golf club from Allen prior to law enforcement’s arrival.

Officer Reviews Surveillance Video

The officer then reviewed surveillance video with the employee, which depicted Doe sitting on the north sidewalk of Cedar St. Allen then walks over to Doe’s bikes and proceeds to tip them and their trailers over, spilling the contents. The video then depicts Doe getting up and moving towards Allen. Allen responds by raising his cane and swinging it forcefully at Doe's head.

Based on the video depiction, the officer believed the cane narrowly missed Doe. Doe is then depicted retreating back and grabbing a frying pan. Doe approaches Allen, and Allen again swings at Doe with the cane before retreating to the door of the POV.

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Based on their investigation, law enforcement determined that Allen was the primary aggressor. Allen was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon, and his bond was set at $15,000.

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