Altercation in Missoula: Police Struggle With Non-Compliant Male

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 9, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a male vs. female disturbance near the Albertson’s on Oxford Street. A 911 caller stated a male had “beat up” a female. According to court documents, the female involved in this altercation was never located for a statement.  

An officer located the male and asked him to stop walking, however, the male continued to walk towards the officer. The officer had to raise his voice and tell the male a third time to stop walking before the male stopped. 

Because of his safety concerns, the officer asked to pat down the male who was later identified as 38-year-old Dustin Flying. The officer instructed Flying to place his hands on top of his head, which he did. The officer told Flying to stop tensing up. During the patdown, the officer noted Flying was larger in stature than him and smelled of alcohol. Based on the size differential, the officer asked Flying to sit down, to which Flying responded, “f**k no!” When asked again, Flying again refused.  

At this time, the officer decided to place Flying in handcuffs and grabbed one of his hands. With a significant amount of force, Flying jerked his arms forward and attempted to step away from the officers. The officer pulled back on Flying’s arm and pushed Flying forward. In doing so, Flying and two officers fell over the sidewalk and onto the street.  

The officer commanded Flying to stop resisting and give up his arm but Flying refused and continued to fight with officers. Officers were eventually able to roll Flying to his stomach and were able to gain control of his wrists to place him in handcuffs.  

Because of Flying’s extreme and hostile behavior, officers requested that a supervisor respond with a WRAP device. It was at this time that the male became combative again and began kicking at officers. Flying began forcing his legs from the officer’s grasp, straightening his legs, and ultimately kicking the officer.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Flying was then stood up and searched incident to arrest. During this time, Flying began calling the officer a homophobic slur and threatened to shoot him. While at the hospital, Flying was very combative and refused to be examined. At the conclusion of his hospital clearance, Flying continued to call the officer a homophobic slur and told him to “suck a d**k” while on the way to the jail. 

Flying is currently being charged with felony attempted assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, and obstructing a peace officer.  

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