Missoula Shooting Incident: A Close Encounter at McClay Bridge

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 25, 2024, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to McClay Bridge for a report of a shooting. A detective also responded, and he interviewed three employees of NorthWestern Energy. They were called to River Pines for a report of a ruptured gas line.  

The employees had completed their work on the gas line and were gathering in the middle of the road to debrief the situation. As they were discussing, all three heard a motor vehicle approaching them at a high rate of speed, which appeared unsafe given the conditions and hazards in the road caused by the storm. 

They felt they needed to jump into the ditch to avoid being struck by the vehicle. All three described the vehicle, which was occupied by one male driver. One employee recorded the driver, including the driver’s license plate. 

The detective ran the license plate and found it returned to a vehicle registered to 32-year-old Issac Dixon. The detective also found Dixon had cautions for being known to carry a handgun in the glove box of his car.  

An employee saw Dixon run into downed trees in the road. He said Dixon began rocking back and forth in an attempt to break free of the trees. He also reported seeing something reflective in Dixon’s hand, which he believed was either “a bottle of booze” or a firearm. 

The employees drove across McClay Bridge and after crossing, their truck became tangled in a downed power line. One employee worked to get his truck free, while another employee observed Dixon’s vehicle behind him. At this time, Dixon drove around them at a high rate of speed. Dixon went around a downed tree and through a yard. Dixon also nearly collided with a Jeep and narrowly missed a water pump.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Dixon’s vehicle then disappeared around a downed tree on North Ave. It was then that the employees heard gunshots. One employee yelled “Bullets, run!” Another reported hearing bullets “zinging” past her head. The other employee reported that while he was in his vehicle, his windshield was struck by a bullet. He reported that the bullet did not penetrate the windshield and appeared to deflect upward. The detective later observed the windshield and noted a deformity that was consistent with a bullet hitting it.  

They then ran across McClay Bridge to take cover from the shots. A short time later, law enforcement found Dixon and he was subsequently placed under arrest. Within Dixon’s backpack, the detective located a 5-shot .38 caliber revolver.  Dixon is currently being charged with three counts of felony assault with a weapon. His bond was set at $1,000,000. 

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