Man Strangled His Brother and Left Him Unconscious in the Street

Just after 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Missoula Police Officers responded to the 2000 block of Burlington Avenue to assist EMS with a medical call. The victim stated his brother, 35-year-old Joshua Howell, had attacked him. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“When they arrived, they located the victim inside the ambulance who related to them that he had been a victim of an assault and had been left in the street by the suspect,” Welsh said. “He further explained that he is in business with the suspect and that they began to argue about aspects of the business. The argument escalated to a point where the suspect is reported to have punched the victim several times, placed him in a hold to render him unconscious, and then dropped him in the street.”

Court documents indicate Howell wrapped his forearm around the victim’s neck and continued to punch and apply pressure to the victim’s throat until the victim went unconscious. At least one witness observed Howell strangle the victim and leave him in the roadway. Howell then left the area in his vehicle.

“The victim was transported to the hospital with undetermined injuries and officers responded to the suspect’s address, which is located in the 300 block of North Second Street West,” Welsh said. “Officers found him inside. They briefly spoke with him and placed him under arrest. He was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center.”

Howell confirmed the argument over the job, and stated he fired the victim. He also stated that he had received threatening texts from the victim. Howell provided text messages from the victim that were threatening in nature. Howell stated he was defending himself and that the victim started the fight. Howell stated he was squeezing the victim’s liver from behind, which caused him to go unconscious.

Howell was charged with one count of felony strangulation of a partner or family member.