On May 31, 2022, at approximately 11:25 p.m., a Missoula Police Department officer received a dispatch to the Poverello Center at 1110 W Broadway for a report of a disturbance. Dispatch notes advised a verbal and physical disturbance between two males and a female. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.

“The call notes from the dispatcher to the officer indicated the caller had advised drugs and alcohol were probably a factor,” Arnold said. “On scene, an officer located victims of the disturbance who pointed out 36-year-old Thomas Scull. Scull was in the Poverello parking lot and the officer watched as he still approached people aggressively. Officers could see he was in a posturing stance with a clenched fist.”

Arnold said an officer approached Scull, but Scull walked away. Another officer immediately took control of Scull while his back was to him. The officer attempted to gain control of Scull’s arms to place him into handcuffs. Scull immediately began stiffening within the officer’s grasp and pulling away from him.

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Scull attempted to bring his arms towards his midsection and out of the officer’s grasp. As Scull had not been searched for weapons at this point, the officer began to grow concerned he may be attempting to obtain a weapon with which to harm him or the other officer.

“Additional officers responded and made contact with Scull,” Arnold said. “Based on the training and experience of the officers, it appeared as if Scull was under the influence of a stimulant drug. Officers were able to detain Scull. However, during the process, Scull used his head to hit an officer in the face and repeatedly pinched another officer. The officer experienced pain and minor injuries. Due to his intoxication level, Scull was transported to a local hospital to be medically cleared for jail.”

After Scull was medically cleared, he was transferred to the Missoula County Detention Center. According to court documents, Scull threw his head backward, striking the officer viciously in the mouth with his head, causing the officer to bite his tongue and the inside of his upper lip.

The officer then executed another outside trip takedown, bringing Scull back to the ground where he was held in place. While continuing to hold Scull on the ground, Scull began pinching the officer with his hands, arms, and legs every time he could get ahold of the officer. Scull is currently being charged with felony assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest.

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

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