Previous “argument” leads to stabbing in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – On May 24, 2024, Missoula Police Department officers were dispatched to the Brooks and Fairview area for a report of an assault. Dispatch reported that two men were fighting and one may have been stabbed. The victim of the stabbing was reportedly in the parking lot of the Montana Club.

Officers encountered a man named John Doe with a cut on his left hand that appeared to be bleeding. The wound appeared to be consistent with a defensive knife wound. Doe also had a wound on his left chest consistent with a knife wound.

Officers noticed that Doe was not very cooperative with their questions, only giving the first name of the man who stabbed him, Cory, and a direction of travel. An officer quickly located the suspect, 39-year-old Cory Williams. After Doe was medically examined, an officer continued to speak with him.

Doe tells his side of the story

Doe stated he saw Williams walking next to him on the street. Doe stated he had an old “dispute” with Williams and wanted to settle the matter. Doe reported he approached Williams and challenged him to a fight. Doe denied getting closer than 3-4 feet to Williams while challenging him to a fight and stated Williams then pulled out a knife.

According to court documents, Doe described this as an attempt by Williams to “kill” him. Doe reported that Williams continued to attack him until he backed into the street to escape. Doe then continued to walk away from Williams and eventually reached the Montana Club.

Witness explains what happened

The officer then contacted the original 911 caller, who stated he was driving when he saw Williams and Doe fighting on the side of the road. The witness stated that Williams appeared to have “stabbed” Doe and observed Doe grabbing his chest, the same spot where Higgs was stabbed.

The caller reported that Doe and Williams continued to hit each other and that Doe eventually crossed the street, apparently to “avoid the altercation,” and Williams followed him. The caller described Williams as “chasing the other guy.”

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports

Williams makes a statement

The officer then checked on Williams’ whereabouts and reminded him that his Miranda rights still applied, as they had been read to him previously by another officer. Williams stated that he and Doe had been involved in a physical altercation. Williams confirmed that this was over a previous “dispute.”

Williams stated he was physically attacked because he was defending himself. Williams denied stabbing Doe during the altercation. Williams stated that when Doe ran across the street during the altercation, Williams followed Doe and told him, “I’m not the one.” Williams then claimed he did not chase Doe. Williams then invoked his right to remain silent.

Williams was arrested and taken to the Missoula County Detention Center and is currently facing charges of assault with a weapon.

The information in this article was obtained from publicly available sources.