Man Allegedly Held a Knife to Another Man’s Throat and Stomach

On Wednesday at around 4:15 p.m., Missoula Police Department officers responded to the area of O’Reilly Auto Parts on East Broadway. It was reported that 36-year-old Kenneth Oralls had possibly stolen multiple bottles of liquor from Magic Diamond Casino. Oralls was last seen sleeping near O’Reilly. An officer located Oralls in that location.

Oralls appeared extremely intoxicated, fidgety, and agitated. He removed a small, black-handled knife from his pocket, which an officer took into his possession. Oralls was detained at that time and was cited with two counts of theft.

Meanwhile, a male approached the officers and informed them that Oralls threatened him earlier in the day with a knife on the walking bridge. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“The complainant reported that he and Oralls had been in an ongoing dispute and that Oralls had approached him from behind, wrapped his arms around him, and held a small knife to his throat without making any contact,” Welsh said. “In the same act, Oralls then held the knife to the male’s abdomen. The male reported that he was in fear of losing his life before he was released.”

The victim said Oralls had been using methamphetamine recently and had been trying to start fights with “everyone.” The victim only knew the first names of the individuals who witnessed the assault, but said they were still at the footbridge where the assault occurred.

Officers went to the footbridge and interviewed the two potential witnesses. One witness corroborated the victim’s statement, but the other said he did not want to be a “snitch” or get anyone in trouble.

Oralls admitted to being on the footbridge with the victim and the others, but denied having any confrontation. Oralls said he would never threaten victim because they are friends. An officer noted that all parties interviewed appeared to be intoxicated.

Eventually, Oralls was placed under arrest and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with one count of felony assault with a weapon.