Man Assaults Woman at the Dakota House in Missoula

At around 9:35 p.m. on Saturday, Missoula Police Officers responded to a report of a physical disturbance at the Dakota House where a male physically assaulted a staff member and then fled down the alley. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.

“Officers located the victim and observed visible injuries to their face and other body parts,” Arnold said. “The suspect, 36-year-old Doug Skoczek, had come to the Dakota House demanding an ambulance ride and a ride to the hospital. The victim did not know Skoczek. When the victim told Skoczek, ‘no that’s not how it worked’, Skoczek rushed the door and slammed the victim into a wall. The victim fell to the ground.”

The victim was standing with the door slightly open and her foot was behind the door to keep it from opening further. Skoczek rushed the door without warning and slammed into the victim. Skoczek drove the victim all the way across the entry way and slammed her into the far wall.

The victim her hands up in front of her face and chest in an attempt to protect herself, but Skoczek punched her in the face at least 12 to 15 times. Skoczek was also grabbing the victim by the hair. The officer observed at least three distinct piles of hair on the floor in the area where the assault took place.

“Skoczek continued to stand above the victim and punched them,” Arnold said. “When the victim asked Skoczek to stop, Skoczek proceeded to kick the victim in the ribs. Officers were able to locate Skoczek and transported him to the Missoula County Jail on felony charges. It is unknown the root of what started this incident.”

The victim said Skoczek kicked her at least four times in her side then walked out the door and left down the alley. When officers arrived at the Dakota House, Skoczek simply turned around and placed his hands behind his back without saying anything.

The victim had swelling on her nose and around her eyes, bleeding from her nose, and complaining of pain in her ribs. She said she was very scared during the attack.

Skoczek is currently being charged with aggravated burglary and aggravated assault.