Man Threatens Man After Being Questioned About Social Distancing

Just before 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, Missoula police received a report that a man was brandishing a shotgun and threatening another man at a convenience store in the 400 block of Russell Street. The first responding officer observed a suspect leaving the scene in a vehicle. According to Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh, the officer stopped the vehicle and detained the man.

“Other officers arrived,” Welsh said. “They made contact with the victim and employees inside the convenience store. The victim explained that he had been standing in line waiting to make a purchase. He made a comment to another male about social distancing and he asked the male to maintain his six-foot distance. The suspect, 30-year-old Timothy Foley, took offense to that and challenged the victim to go outside of the store.”

The victim said he didn’t want any trouble and he stayed in line to make his purchase. Welsh said the suspect left the store, but the incident was not over.

“The victim left the store a short time later and went to his vehicle,” Welsh said. “He was approached by Foley who was in possession of a shotgun, which he had leveled at the ground. Foley made some challenge to the victim. The victim backed away from the suspect and went back inside the store where 9-1-1 was called. The suspect apparently returned to his vehicle and was in the process of leaving when he was stopped by the initial responding officer.”

Foley was placed under arrest and he was transported to the Missoula County Jail. He is currently being held for assault with a weapon.