Woman Arrested After People Heard Gunshots on the Clark Fork River

On August 15, 2022, at around 8:52 pm, multiple people called 911 to report gunshots coming from the Clark Fork River near the Creekside Apartments on Broadway. The reports stated that a group consisting of four males and a female were floating the river on innertubes and a paddleboard.  

One 911 caller saw one of the males firing a revolver into the river. Missoula Police Department officers located the group floating near Missoula College. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold picks up the story. 

“The entire group refused to come to the shoreline after being instructed to by officers,” Arnold said. “The group did not even make an attempt to comply or make an attempt to come to the shoreline. Eventually, officers were able to convince the group to come out of the water. All of the individuals were arrested for obstructing and officers tried to locate the gun.” 

According to Arnold, a spent shell casing was located on a paddleboard. 

“Katy Sutton was among the group and after being informed of her Miranda, Sutton agreed to speak with the officer,” Arnold said. “Sutton consented to her belongings she identified as hers to be searched. Officers located syringes, some were used and some were not. Initially, Sutton stated the syringes were for her diabetes. Among the syringes were multiple plastic baggies containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Sutton told the officer the meth did not belong to her and gave a direct quote of, ‘one of the Russians must have planted it there’.” 

Arnold said Sutton told officers she had only been sober from meth for approximately two months and officers observed track marks on Sutton’s arms. Sutton was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center.  

Court documents indicate the substance did test presumptive positive for methamphetamine. Sutton is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing a peace officer. 

Arnold said this case and the surrounding factors of the case are still under investigation by the Missoula Police Department Detective Division.  

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