Man Shows a Gun During a Road Rage Incident in Missoula
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 5, 2023, at approximately 8:25 p.m., officers with the Missoula Police Department responded to a local store after receiving a complaint of a road rage incident. A 17-year-old female, identified as Jane Doe, reported that she was driving on 44 Ranch Road when another vehicle, later determined to be a Dodge Challenger driven by 27-year-old Michael Sloan, passed her at a high rate of speed.
Doe Gives Her Side of the Story
She estimated that the Challenger was going 60 miles per hour. The Challenger then turned onto Mullan Road and Doe followed it. Doe tried to get close enough to the Challenger to see its license plate number. However, the Challenger slammed on its brakes and Doe almost collided with it.
The Challenger and Doe then turned left onto Reserve Street. At the intersection of Reserve and England Blvd., Doe began pulling into the left-turn lane. The Challenger pulled in front of her and both vehicles stopped. Sloan put the Challenger in park and exited. Doe said Sloan was holding a small, black handgun.
Sloan walked toward Doe and allegedly pointed the handgun at her through her windshield for a couple of seconds. Doe stated she drove around Sloan and turned onto England Blvd. A short time later, Doe followed the Challenger to a store to take a picture of its license plate. Police also made contact with Sloan at the store.
Sloan Gives His Side of the Story
After being advised of his rights, Sloan provided a statement. He explained that Doe disregarded a stop sign and pulled out in front of him. He said he didn’t know what was going on, so he drove around her. At this point, Doe began tailgating him all the way to Reserve Street.
Doe sped up to pass Sloan, but Sloan accelerated. Sloan eventually merged into the left-hand lane in front of Doe near the intersection with England Blvd. Once in the intersection, Sloan put his Challenger in park and cracked its door open. He stated Doe was “yelling and screaming at him” and revving her engine. He said she also threatened to run him over.
Sloan said he exited his Challenger with his pistol in hand and walked toward Doe’s vehicle, but that he stopped at the rear of his own vehicle. He stated he did not want to threaten her and had no intention of hurting anyone. That is when Doe drove around Sloan and turned left onto England Blvd. Sloan turned right and went to the store. Doe pulled up behind him and started taking pictures of his Challenger. Sloan said Doe threatened him and then drove away.
Sloan stated the firearm was inside his employee locker inside the store and gave law enforcement permission to search for it. Inside his locker, an officer discovered a loaded Glock 9mm pistol. Court documents indicate the pistol had a live round in the chamber.
Sloan is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.