Police Apprehend Suspect in Downtown Missoula Gunfire Incident

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 1, 2025, at approximately 1:55 AM, multiple Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to the area of Stockman’s Bar and Caras Park in downtown Missoula following multiple reports of a person actively discharging a firearm.  

Two callers both identified that the shooter was wearing a camo jacket and black beanie or hat. Based on the reports, dispatch was able to track that the shooter was initially near a dumpster on the back side of Stockman’s Bar, then proceeded to hear toward Michi Raman, and to the staircase leading to Higgins Street Bridge. 

While officers were en route, they heard dispatch advise that people were running and hiding from the attacker. Officers arrived and observed a male on the walking path of the bridge who matched the description of the attacker.  

The officers announced themselves and commanded the person to get on the ground. Two officers maintained their guns aimed at the suspect as other officers arrived on scene. The suspect was placed in custody without further incident and he identified himself as 65-year-old Rodney Thomas. 

Thomas Denied Firing a Gun

During a pat search, no weapon was located on Thomas, but he had over $600 and a handful of pills. Thomas also made several admissions to the officer that he had been consuming alcoholic beverages that evening. Thomas stated he heard an altercation, but that no gunshots were fired.  

Because Thomas matched the description of several eyewitnesses who observed the attack, and because he was located directly on the path where eyewitnesses said the attacker was traveling, the officer placed him under arrest and he was transported to the Missoula Police Department. 

An officer interviewed Jane Doe. Doe said she and her two friends were walking to their vehicles when an unknown male, Thomas, began catcalling them. Upon hearing the advances, Doe told the male to “Shut the f**k up!” The trio walked down the sidewalk that runs parallel to the main entrance of Caras Park. Thomas followed them and began saying things such as, “F**k you, b***h!”  

At this point, a verbal altercation broke out between Thomas and the group. Unbeknownst to Doe, Thomas produced a firearm. Doe’s friend grabbed her mouth and told her to shut up and pointed out that Thomas had a gun. Doe didn’t believe her friend at first; however, Thomas then pointed the firearm toward the sky and discharged it. Doe believed the firearm was fired two or three times.

Doe and Her Friends Run and Hide 

After hearing the shots, the three of them ran away. Doe ran southbound into the parking lot and hid behind a Subaru. It was at this time she called 911 for police assistance. Doe’s friends also ran southbound and hid behind a white pickup truck. While hiding, Doe reported that Thomas pointed his firearm at another person and yelled something to the effect of, “Get the f**k down!” That person pleaded and informed Thomas they had a kid. Doe said Thomas then walked eastbound through the parking lot, still holding the gun. 

The officer spoke to Doe’s friends as well and they provided very similar statements. One of the friends was able to record a small portion of the incident. In reviewing the video, the officer observed two males who were engaged with Thomas. A detective also reviewed the video and observed that the male in the video matched the description of Thomas. 

Another officer began searching the scene for casings or other evidence including the firearm. The officer looked in storm drains and bushes, and eventually located a revolver in a black sheath that had been stashed between two bushes located below the Wilma Theater, near the steps to the Higgins Street Bridge.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

At the police station, the detective observed that the gun’s cylinder contained five cartridges. One cartridge appeared to have been spent, while the other four appeared un-spent. 

Thomas was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with three counts of felony assault with a weapon, felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence.  

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