Missoula Man Headbutted and Bloodied an Officer’s Nose During an Arrest

At around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Missoula police officers responded to the report of a physical disturbance in the 1400 block of West Broadway. The complainant saw two males fighting with each other and called police. When the officers arrived, they found one of the males nearby and learned that he had been fighting with a neighbor after getting into an argument with his girlfriend. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“The officers began investigating and made contact with all parties, including the neighbor who reported that he had welcomed the victim female into his apartment after she said she had been in a fight with her boyfriend,” Welsh said. “The neighbor said the boyfriend came to the door and attempted to get in because he wanted to speak to his girlfriend.”

According to Welsh, the neighbor wouldn’t let the male inside and pulled out his cell phone so he could call police.

“The neighbor reported that the boyfriend slapped the phone out of his hand and began fighting with him, which spilled out of the apartment and out towards the street,” Welsh. “The officers eventually made contact with the female who confirmed that there had been a disturbance in her apartment with her boyfriend who was later identified as 28-year-old Taavi Nushart.”

The female said Mr. Nushart became very angry and flipped a desk in the apartment. Items flew off the desk and hit the woman in the leg, which caused her pain.

“During this investigation, Mr. Nushart was in the company of two other officers who arrived and were there to assist,” Welsh said. “Mr. Nushart was taken into custody. During the course of the arrest, Mr. Nushart began resisting and fighting with the officers. At one point, he headbutted one of the officers, causing a bloody nose and pain.”

As a result, Mr. Nushart is currently being held for one count of felony assault on a peace officer. He was also arrested for partner assault, unlawful restraint, tampering with a communication device, and obstructing justice.