Man Armed With Knife And Club Threatens Missoula Customer

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On the morning of September 17, 2025, Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to a report that a subject attempted to attack a customer of Ole’s gas station with an item resembling a baseball bat. One minute after the original call, a second person reported to 911 that a male wearing only shorts was standing in the road with a long stick in his left hand and an 11-inch knife in his right hand. The caller described this person to be in the vicinity of Russell and Mount and advised that he was “very agitated.”  

An officer located the victim, Jane Doe, inside the gas station. Doe was visibly upset. Tears were running down her face as she described her encounter with the male. Doe stated that she left the store and intended to walk home when she saw a male running down the street as she crossed Mount Ave. Doe stopped walking because he appeared to be acting strangely.  

The male, later identified as 48-year-old Steven Otto, ran towards Doe while holding a wooden club. As he advanced towards her, he screamed, “What are you doing out here walking alone?” Doe ran back to Ole’s. She stated that Otto did not hit her, but she felt threatened, adding that he was likely on some sort of drug or exhibiting mental illness. Doe stated that the situation was very scary since Otto ran very fast towards her.

The Officer Checked the Surveillance Video  

The officer reviewed Ole’s surveillance video of the incident. Otto is observed carrying a wooden stick in his right hand and a knife is observed in his left. The officer noted that Otto carried the knife “as one would hold a knife if they were stabbing in a downward direction.” 

Another officer located Otto at Cleveland Street and Mount Avenue. He was standing in the middle of the street with no shirt on. He held a large wooden stick in his right hand. The officer exited his patrol vehicle and commanded Otto to drop the item. He complied. Otto then reached into his right pocket and pulled out a pocketknife which he threw to the ground. Then Otto was taken into custody without incident. A detective booked the stick and the knife into evidence. 

Otto was placed into the back of a patrol vehicle. While seated, he stated: “I made a bad decision, dude. I was just trying to have fun.” Upon receiving a Miranda advisement, Otto invoked his constitutional right to have an attorney present upon questioning. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

An officer noted that Otto’s eyes were extremely bloodshot, and he was very jittery. He made nonsensical statements to the effect of, “I don’t look like a dog” and “Is that a naked lady in front?” He also stated, “I’m like tripping out. I’m seeing butt cheeks.” The officer asked Otto if he needed to go to the hospital. Otto stated that he was at the hospital earlier and that it was “f*****g weird.” 

Otto is currently being charged with 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.