Woman Peppers Missoula Guitar Players, Maces Another Man

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On June 23, 2023, Missoula Police Department officers responded downtown for a report of an assault just after midnight. An officer arrived and spoke with a male who was covered in mace and complaining of extreme pain. The male stated he was having trouble breathing. The officer spoke with the male while he was being assessed by medical professionals that responded.  

The male stated he was sitting on the sidewalk next to a duo of males that were playing guitar when an unknown female came up to him and sprayed him with a gel mace unprovoked. He stated he was having difficulty remembering what had occurred due to not being able to see or breathe. 

The officer next spoke with one of the guitar players who stated he was outside on the sidewalk playing his guitar when an unknown female began causing issues with him over his guitar playing. He stated the female yelled at him and then left the area. Then the female returned and began throwing cayenne pepper at him and his friend/fellow guitar player. He then stated after the female threw the pepper into his case, she retrieved the mace and sprayed down the other male. The fellow guitar player provided a similar statement and stated the female also destroyed his guitar case with cayenne pepper.  

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The officer next spoke to a female who stated she was standing listening to the guitar players. She said she saw a female approach the group and shove another female who was dancing to the music. The female then left the area, but returned and started throwing pepper at the guitars. She said the female left and returned again, at which time she sprayed a male with mace.  

The officer also spoke with a female who stated she had been standing on the sidewalk listening to the two guitar players and as she was dancing, she was shoved from behind by an unknown female. She reported pain in her knee as a result of being pushed and having to catch her balance. 

A short time later, a female that matched the physical description of the witnesses was located by other officers. An officer approached the female who was later identified as 35-year-old Madelein Owen. Owen stated she didn’t attack either of the musicians. Owen made further statements, voicing her frustration for the guitar players and her hatred for homeless individuals. 

The officer placed Owen under arrest and read her Miranda rights. Owen shook her head no when asked if she wished to speak with the officer. Once in handcuffs, Owen continued to ask hypothetical questions about the incident. The officer informed Owen that he was unable to discuss the incident further with her. 

Owen was placed in the back of a patrol car and transported to the detention center. According to court documents, Owen continued to ask hypothetical questions on the way to the jail and at one point said to the officers, “You should kill yourself.” 

Owen is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon, assault, and criminal mischief. 

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