Knife vs. Shovel Fight at the Poverello Center in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On March 11, 2025, Missoula Police Department officers responded to the Poverello Center after receiving reports of a chaotic scene with multiple people fighting. Based on surveillance video, officers determined that 34-year-old Michael Carlsen was culpable for committing assault with a weapon with a knife.  

According to an officer’s report, surveillance video showed Carlsen speaking with three individuals. A female approached Carlsen and appeared to become agitated with him during their conversation. Then Carlsen is observed reaching towards his right side and then holding an unknown object in his right hand. Then Carlsen held his right hand up in front of him towards the female, as if he had a weapon.  

As to the two continued to argue, Carlsen pushed the female with two hands causing her to fall to the ground. After the female fell to the ground, Carlsen was observed reaching towards his right side again. As the female laid on the ground, Philip Small-Ray approached Carlsen.  

As Small-Ray approached, Carlsen was observed on video reaching towards his right side again and obtaining an object in his right hand. Carlsen then thrust his right hand towards Small-Ray’s torso with two quick motions.  

Two other individuals became involved and appeared to break up the argument between Carlsen and Small-Ray. The video depicts a shiny silver object consistent with a knife in Carlsen’s right hand.  

A short time later, Small-Ray re-approached Carlsen with a shovel and attempted to strike him in the head. After he swung the shove at Carlsen, Small-Ray left the area. Officers determined that Small-Ray was also guilty of assault with a weapon.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Staff members were standing near Carlsen throughout the incident. One staff member said she repeatedly asked Carlsen to put his knife down, but he refused. According to court documents, Carlsen stated that he wouldn’t put the knife down because they were going to kill him. 

Carlsen was interviewed under Mirana. He stated that a group of Native Americans surrounded him, causing him to pull his knife to defend himself. He claimed that one person tried to hit him with a shovel. He claimed that he thrust his knife at the man with the shovel in an attempt to defend himself. He said this caused the man with the shovel to run away. According to the police reports, Carlsen thrust his weapon at Small-Ray before Small-Ray returned to strike him with a shovel. 

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

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