Missoula Police Department officers responded to a report of an assault with a weapon at the Johnson Street Warming Shelter on April 20, 2024. According to the report, a male individual, identified as John Doe, recounted an alarming encounter with a female assailant wielding a knife. The suspect was later identified as 33-year-old Linda Bigbeaver.
Doe recounted that while he was seated in a truck with another male, Bigbeaver approached and brandished a knife, causing him to fear for his safety. Despite Doe’s attempts to lock the passenger door, Bigbeaver gained entry and pointed the blade toward him, reportedly uttering threatening remarks.
Expressing fear for his life, Doe described how Bigbeaver punctured the front passenger tire before departing the scene. The knife in question was described as approximately six inches in length.
Furthermore, Doe stated that Bigbeaver also targeted the other male present, threatening violence and slashing the tire of his vehicle. The male corroborated Doe’s account, expressing concern for his safety in the face of Bigbeaver’s aggressive behavior.
In response to the incident, officers detained Bigbeaver, matching the description provided by witnesses. Upon questioning, Bigbeaver admitted to possessing a knife, which was subsequently recovered from her possession. She was then placed under arrest and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center.
Bigbeaver now faces charges including felony assault with a weapon, criminal mischief, and unlawful restraint. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.