Man Steps in to Help Women and Got Attacked With a Trash Can Lid

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 16th, 2026, John Doe observed a male, later identified as 39-year-old Shane Stamper, approach and speak aggressively to three females in the vicinity of the First National Bank on North Higgins Ave. Doe perceived that the women were afraid of Stamper. He approached Stamper and told him to leave the area. Stamper threatened to kill Doe for protecting "pedophiles" and "rapists". Stamper intimidated and threatened Doe to force him to leave the area.  

Stamper threatened Doe and followed him to the corner of Higgins and Maine. Stamper grabbed the lid to a metal trash can and ran at Doe at full speed. He threw the lid at Doe and told him that he deserved to die for protecting the women. The lid struck Doe in the right arm and rib cage, causing him injury.  

Stamper next threatened to harm Doe with a knife and gun. He searched through his pockets, causing Doe to fear that Stamper was about to produce a weapon. Doe screamed for help and, by doing so, caused his two friends to respond to the area. Doe continued to assess Stamper as he reached into his pockets and threatened the use of a deadly weapon. He reported to officers that he didn't want to risk getting stabbed. When asked if he believed that this was going to be the outcome of the altercation, Doe said, "For sure".  

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Stamper also used the trash can lid to strike Doe's friend's vehicle twice. Stamper damaged the rear left panel of the vehicle and caused several dents to the rear spoiler. When the friend attempted to assess the damage to his vehicle, Stamper threw the trash can lid at him as well. 

Doe and his two friends approached the three females that Stamper initially confronted. Stamper squared up on all three men and attempted to fight them. As he did so, he searched his pockets and caused all three men to fear that he was searching for a weapon.  

Missoula Police Department officers responded and arrested Stamper. They drove him to Saint Patrick Hospital, and he was combative there. He attempted to bite and cause injury to an officer who attempted to safely secure him in his hospital bed. He then bit another officer and attempted to spit on him. He was then arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

He's currently being charged with two counts of felony assault with a weapon, felony intimidation, two counts of felony attempted assault on a peace officer, assault, attempted assault, and criminal mischief. His bond was set at $100,000. 

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