Man Resists Arrest, Missoula Officer Accidently Gets Tased

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 29, 2023, Missoula Police Department officers responded to a report of a disturbance. The 911 dispatch center received two calls regarding a male in a Honda driving by harassing people and throwing things. The second caller, John Doe, told the dispatchers the male was making threats of breaking into his car and slamming his license plate against Doe’s vehicle.  

As an officer walked up to the vehicle Doe was sitting in, she observed a Honda parked very close to his car. Doe told her he is currently living in his vehicle. Doe said, “This guy like literally just drove up on me and started getting out of his car and yelling at me and I had to roll up my window, he was literally trying to get into my car.”  

Doe told the officer that 41-year-old William Williams said to him, “When you [police] guys show up, I’m going to rip their throats out and then I’m going to rip your throat out.” 

Doe said Willams told him to roll down his window or he was going to break the window. Doe said he has no association with Williams and does not know Williams at all. The officer asked Doe how this interaction with Williams made him feel. Doe said, “Really threatened.” “Like he was going to pull something out of his car.” “Scared for my life.” Doe said he had to lock the door to keep Williams from getting in his vehicle.  

Officers Attempt to Place Williams Under Arrest 

Based off statements collected there was probable cause to place Williams under arrest for assault. Williams tensed up and started to physically engage in a fight with an officer. The officer gave clear instructions for Williams not to tense up. Williams continued to tense up and began to physically resist and pull away from officers. 

According to court documents, Williams was actively showing acts of aggression towards officers resulting in a higher level of force becoming necessary to safely execute the arrest. The officer struck Williams in the face with a closed fist from his left hand in an attempt to obtain compliance. When this occurred, Williams continued to fight. Another officer also delivered strikes to defend himself and execute the arrest. 

A third officer attempted to control Williams’ legs as he was thrashing around on the car hood and making kicking motions. The other two officers made attempts to control Williams’ arms. The third officer very clearly heard the other officer say several times to Williams if he didn’t stop resisting then he would be tased. Williams made a comment back saying, “I’ve been tased before” and continued to physically pull away and try and kick his legs. 

First Tasing Hits Officer Instead 

The first tasing was ineffective on Williams. The taser got the third officer’s left hand in the pointer finger knuckle. She instantly felt her left hand go numb and it got more and more numb. Williams was displaying continued violent behavior towards the officers by actively physically fighting while trying to take the officer's taser. 

The officer did a second taser deployment that was successful. Williams was rolled onto his stomach and an officer placed him into handcuffs. Williams 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.