Man Threatens Missoula Officer With a Knife, Spits on Another
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On April 28, 2023, a Missoula Police Department Officer responded to Missoula Probation and Parole for a report of an assault. A Probation Officer said that a probationer, 26-year-old Dakota Eyster, was providing a urine sample. When the probation officer believed Eyster had finished, he saw that Eyster had retrieved a knife from his pant pocket.
According to court documents, Eyster turned toward the probation officer and made a lunging motion with the knife. The probation officer said he felt a fear of serious bodily injury. The probation officer yelled at Eyster and told him to drop the knife. Eyster then threw the knife into the trash.
Two other probation officers ran into the room, restrained Eyster in handcuffs, and brought him to a holding cell. When another probation officer was taking a lighter and cigarette away from Eyster, Eyster spit in his face. This was observed by another probation officer.
The Missoula Police Department Officer Mirandized Eyster and Eyster agreed to speak. Court documents indicate Eyster made statements that were off-topic, non-sensical, and did not contribute to understanding his actions. At one point, Eyster said he was trying to give the knife to the probation officer because he did not like magic.
Eyster was placed under arrest and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony assault on a peace or judicial officer and assault with bodily fluid.
This case was filed directly to District Court. According to the Missoula Jail, Eyster’s bond was set at $75,000.
On October 12, 2021, Eyster was charged with felony assault with a weapon for allegedly threatening people with a “sword” and knives on North Reserve.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.