Man Broke a Missoula Business’ Window and Punched a Bystander in the Face

Just after 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to 131 West Main Street for a report of a broken window and an assault. Responding officers were informed that the suspect had left the scene in a black BMW with silver rims. An officer arrived and spoke with the victim, who appeared to have a large amount of blood on his face, shirt and hands. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold explains.

“31-year-old Colton Sheppard broke a window and engaged in a physical fight with an unknown person for no apparent reason, causing injury to the victim as well as himself,” Arnold said. “The victim observed Sheppard walking down a street when Sheppard randomly punched a window, causing the window to break and injuries to his hand.”

At this time, Sheppard’s friend was attempting to get Sheppard into his vehicle. While he was doing so, an unidentified male began taking pictures of the license plate, which upset Sheppard.

“Witnesses started to take pictures of the vehicle Sheppard was getting into and the overall incident,” Arnold said. “Sheppard noticed this and started to run toward the person taking the pictures. That person ran away. The victim of assault was standing there uninvolved when Sheppard turn on him and punched him in the face. The victim report Sheppard as having bleeding from his hand and probably needing medical attention.”

Court documents indicate the victim and Sheppard got into an altercation until Sheppard’s friend pulled Sheppard away and left the scene. An officer conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and Sheppard was taken into custody. The window that was broken belonged to DCI Engineers and the estimated damage was in excess of $2,000.

Sheppard was charged with felony criminal mischief and assault.