Road Rage: Missoula Woman Attacked With an Axe

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On January 23, 2025, multiple Missoula Police Department Officers responded to a report of a disturbance that involved an axe. The victim, Jane Doe, contacted 911, and she was instructed to pull into the Missoula County Detention Facility parking lot. An officer contacted Doe and noticed she was visibly shaking, talking rapidly, and unable to easily compose herself or her statements. 

Doe’s windshield had a large ‘spider web’ style defect in the front windshield, approximately 2 feet in diameter. It was apparent to the officer that the windshield had been struck by an object with great force.  

Doe stated she was finishing her grocery shopping at Winco and preparing to exit the parking lot to go northbound on Reserve St. Doe believed she had enough space to pull onto the roadway safely prior to any vehicle coming close to her. When Doe pulled onto the roadway, she observed that a blue Nissan Versa, which initially appeared very far away, was now right on her bumper. Doe believed the blue Versa must have been speeding due to how quickly it arrived.  

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The Versa began “honking” at Doe and eventually pulled past her at a high rate of speed while “flipping” her off. The Versa then quickly cut in front of Doe and began to slam on its brakes. Doe flashed her headlights at the Versa. At that point, the Versa came to a full stop in the roadway in front of Doe. Then Doe observed the driver, later identified as Dylan Cottle, exit the Versa holding an axe. 

Cottle then began walking towards Doe’s vehicle while holding the axe. Doe wanted to back up to get away; however, she observed that other vehicles were now coming from the rear. Cottle was yelling at Doe, and she responded, “Are you f*****g kidding me?” Then Cottle struck Doe’s windshield with the hatchet before returning to his Versa.  

Doe was in disbelief at what occurred and continued to follow Cottle. Doe was able to capture a photograph of Cottle’s license plate. An officer was patrolling near North Russell when he observed the Versa traveling southbound.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Another officer executed a traffic stop. Because the driver was believed to have a weapon, the officer waited for backup to arrive before instructing Cottle to exit. Cottle did so and was secured in handcuffs. After providing a statement and claiming “self-defense”, Cottle was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. 

According to court documents, Cottle is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon and criminal mischief.  

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