MISSOULA — Missoula Police say the officer who was shot at by an unknown suspect Wednesday morning has been with the department for over three decades.
MPD spokesman Sgt. Travis Welsh said the officer was shot at when he was in his patrol vehicle in the 400 block of Woody Street in downtown Missoula around 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday.
He said the officer took cover near a brick wall outside of a nearby church adjacent to his patrol car following the incident. Welsh added the officer was shaken up, but is doing ok.
In a follow up interview Thursday morning with MTN News, Welsh said there was a large hole in the center of the patrol vehicle's back window from the shooting.
Welsh says they have not recovered the bullet or projectiles and do not know what type of weapon was used at this time.
However, during a press conference with the media Wednesday afternoon, Welsh said they are certain a gun was fired.
The patrol car has been moved to an area sealed for evidence and Welsh also said officers are working to find video cameras that may have had a view of the shooting.
Welsh said investigators are still working to put together a description of the shooter, and need anything people might have seen in that area of the courthouse and the Mountain Line transfer station.
"So far we have very little. And that's why we're looking for anybody that may have witnessed anything this (Wednesday) morning," said Welsh. "Even something that they think they may be a little off the wall."
"If they saw, or heard, anything that was unusual we're asking that they please call us," he added. "We'll make that determination at a later time but right now we're asking for anybody that can help to give us a call."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Missoula Police Detective Guy Baker at (406) 396-3217.
Reporting by Katie Miller, Dennis Bragg and Melissa Rafferty
