Man Punches Woman in the Face at the Transfer Station in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 5:20 p.m. on February 11, 2023, Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to the Mountain Line Transfer Station on West Pine Street for a report of a disturbance. The complainant and victim stated a male had just hit her outside of the Courthouse. A second caller stated a male was "on something and beating up other people" and "going up and lunging at people." 

As an officer was finishing his last call for service at the Missoula Police desk, a male came into the lobby and stated a male just tried to fight him. The officer followed the male outside and asked him what happened. The male stated he was minding his own business when the suspect came up and grabbed his arm. The male yanked his arm away and the suspect squared up to him. 

He is Right Over There

While they were talking, the male suddenly pointed to the suspect who was standing on the island of the transfer station. As the officer approached the transfer station, the suspect appeared to notice the officer and started walking away. The officer followed the suspect and noticed him throwing a punching motion in the air, leading the officer to believe the suspect was going to become combative. 

Once the suspect was on the south side of the Courthouse, he threw an empty can of alcohol on the ground and continued to the sidewalk where he got on his stomach and spread out. The suspect was then placed in handcuffs and identified as 32-year-old Colton Mountainsheep. Mountainsheep appeared to be highly intoxicated and was hard to understand because he was slurring his words. Once Mountainsheep was safely placed into the back of a patrol vehicle, the officer returned to the male to obtain the remainder of his statement.  

Female Victim Gives Her Statement

Another officer located the female victim sitting on a bench at the transfer center. The victim stated she was waiting for a bus, when she was randomly approached by Mountainsheep. Mountainsheep began to speak at the victim, so she removed her headphones and asked "what?" According to court documents, Mountainsheep then pushed the victim in the chest and punched her in the face.  

The officer asked the victim if she knew the male that had struck her, and she said "no." The victim stated it was completely random. The officer asked the victim how she felt when she was struck and she stated "I was afraid for my life," and she began crying. The victim mentioned she wasn't sure if Mountainsheep was going to stop. 

Missoula Police records indicate that Mountainsheep has been trespassed from the Mountain Line Transfer Center and all its property since December of 2022. Since then, Mountainsheep has been back to the transfer center at least five times. When Mountainsheep has returned to the transfer center he has been cited for criminal trespass to property. 

Mountainsheep is currently being charged with felony burglary and assault. On February 13, 2023, Mountainsheep made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $25,000. 

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