Intoxicated Man Sparks Fear at a Downtown Missoula Bar

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On June 21, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a bar in downtown Missoula for a report of a male threatening others and possibly flashing a gun. Officers arrived and spoke with three bar employees.  

The employees advised that a male, 23-year-old Drako Phillips, entered the bar intoxicated and was asked to leave. Phillips then left the bar and was walking around outside. While outside, Phillips turned to the employees and stated he was going to shoot them as he made physical gestures with his hands depicting a handgun as if he was shooting them. Then Phillips started walking away. 

Phillips was at the intersection in front of a bank when he pulled a silver object out of his backpack that the employees believed was a handgun. According to court documents, Phillips then pointed it directly at them in a manner consistent with shooting at someone. 

One employee stated he believed it was a silver semi-automatic handgun. Employees said Phillip said something to the effect of “I am going to shoot all three of you.” All three employees stated they thought they were going to get shot and feared for their life. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Phillips then put the object in his backpack and started walking back toward the employees before he was stopped by an MPD officer. Phillips was mirandized and stated he pulled out a hammer from his backpack and displayed it, noting he only “presented” the handle. 

Phillips gave officers consent to search his backpack. Officers located a carpentry hammer that had a wooden handle with a silver metal head. Phillips was placed under arrest and charged with felony assault with a weapon.  

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