Metal Pipe Used in Brutal Attack at the POV in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 1, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to the Poverello Center located on W. Broadway Street. Officers located John Doe bleeding profusely from one or more blunt force trauma injuries to the head. 

Doe immediately identified his assailant as 43-year-old Robert Wilson. Doe stated Wilson was his former roommate at the Thunderbird Hotel. Doe further advised that Wilson is angry at Doe and holds him responsible for their ejection from the hotel.  

According to Doe, Wilson approached him and struck him over the head with some sort of metal pipe or bar. Through their investigation, officers learned that Doe walks with a cane. Officers further documented that Wilson is 6’4”.  

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A female who witnessed the incident stated that she observed a large male push an older man. The older man fell onto his back with his knees and hands raised as if to say, “don’t hit me.” The larger male picked up the older man’s cane and struck him with it, “like with a baseball bat.” She estimated four strikes to the head and shoulder area.  

Surveillance Footage: A Closer Look

A surveillance camera nearby captured the incident on video, and an officer reviewed the footage. According to the officer, Wilson sat on the sidewalk and was approached by an unidentified male. The unidentified male said something to Wilson, which appeared to anger him. Wilson reached into a black suitcase and grabbed what appeared to be a dark-colored object or pole. 

As Wilson grabbed the metallic object, Doe is seen walking through a nearby parking lot. Then Doe yelled something at Wilson. As he walked by, Doe pointed his cane in the direction of Wilson, but did not approach him. Instead, Doe walked away from Wilson’s location.  

Wilson followed Doe with his metal object in hand. As Wilson walked towards Doe, Doe raised his cane above his right shoulder, similar to the posture of holding a bat. An unidentified male tried to separate Doe and Wilson. This allowed Doe to walk away from Wilson. The unidentified male held his hand out, appearing to attempt to stop Wilson from following Doe, but Wilson maneuvered around the unidentified male and followed Doe, who appeared to be retreating.  

Escalation of Conflict: The Final Confrontation

Then Doe took a defensive posture with his cane. Wilson sprinted towards Doe while holding the pole-like object in his hand. The two men moved defensively back and forth with each other. Wilson then raised his pole and hit Doe. The blow landed with significant force, causing Doe to fall to the ground.  

Several parked cars somewhat obscured the officer’s view of what Wilson did to Doe once Doe went to the ground, but the officer opined that Wilson struck Doe two or three more times with the pole and kicked Doe.  

Another bystander attempted to prevent Doe and Wilson from fighting. Wilson walked away from Doe and picked up Doe’s cane. Wilson returned to his suitcase, placed the pole-like object in the suitcase, and maintained possession of the cane. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Wilson was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon and theft. His bond was set at $125,000. 

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