Knife Attack at the Missoula Shelter Leaves Two Injured

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 25, 2026, Missoula dispatch received a report of a stabbing that had occurred at the Poverello Center. Dispatch was advised that the male suspect wearing purple was attempting to flee on Toole Avenue. A Missoula Police Department officer responded to the area and searched for the suspect. While approaching the intersection of Shakespeare Street and Toole Avenue, the officer observed a male in a purple sweatshirt, later identified as Shawn Callahan, walking on the sidewalk.  

A bystander flagged the officer down, confirming Callahan was who the officers were looking for. The officer pulled up to Callahan and initiated a high-risk stop. Other officers arrived, and Callahan was detained without incident. The officer then requested medical attention after it was observed that Callahan was covered in blood and appeared to be bleeding from his head. However, Callahan refused to be seen by medical once they arrived on scene.  

While Callahan was being placed in handcuffs, officers conducted a pat-down search. During the search, officers recovered a pocket knife—a folding-style knife with a red handle and a silver blade. Callahan claimed he acted in self-defense. After being medically cleared for incarceration, an officer transported Callahan to the Missoula County Detention Facility. While jail staff were conducting a search, they located a silver fixed-blade knife concealed in Callahan’s sweatpants. 

Get our free mobile app

Another officer arrived at the Poverello Center, where he observed two males, later identified as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2. The officer observed that both males had visible slash-like knife wounds. After making contact with the males, Doe 1 began having a seizure. Medical then arrived, and Doe 1 was taken to St. Patrick Hospital.  

Then the officer obtained a statement from Doe 2. Doe 2 stated that he and a number of other individuals were near the corner of Cedar and Hawthorne when Callahan approached one of the women in the group. Callahan began making threatening statements towards the woman, saying that he was going to stab her and shoot her with a gun. At some point, a male in the group called Callahan out and asked Callahan to settle the issue with a “one-on-one.”  

The group then moved across the street to the east side of Hawthorne Street in a vacant parking lot. At this point, the situation escalated when Callahan pulled out a knife. Doe 2 stated that when the knife came out, Doe 1 pulled out a padlock and struck Callahan with it. Doe 2 stated that Callahan then began swinging the knife at other bystanders. Doe 2 advised that he punched Callahan to protect the bystanders, and in the process, Callahan cut Doe 2 on the back with his knife.  

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

The officer observed that Doe 2 had an obvious cut mark on his back. Doe 2 also had dried blood on his left ear. Doe 2 explained he used to have an earring in his left ear, but Callahan ripped it out of his ear during the fight. An officer then went to St. Patrick Hospital and interviewed Doe 1, who corroborated much of what Doe 2 had reported.  

Callahan is currently being charged with two counts of felony assault with a weapon. His bond was set at $100,000. 

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