Missoula Man Charged With Attempted Deliberate Homicide and More
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On May 10, 2023, Missoula Police Department Officers responded to a report that a male had thrown a glass and then a couch off a balcony at a neighbor. The suspect was later identified as 60-year-old David Winterburn.
While police were responding, a second 911 caller reported that she could hear a woman yelling “Help me!” and the male was now attacking a female. An officer arrived and the second complainant pointed to the residence in the 700 block of Shakespeare. The officer ran to the front of the residence and could hear screaming that sounded like a fight between two parties.
Winterburn was ordered to come down the stairs. The bottom of the stairwell was barricaded with tables, countertops, and multiple large speakers. Winterburn was carrying a metal barstool and was told to put it down. He put the stool down and started coming down the stairs. However, he stopped before reaching the bottom.
Winterburn Refuses to Listen to Officers
The officer could hear a female yelling for help upstairs. Winterburn began to run back up the stairs toward the room where the female was. The officer discharged a taser to stop Winterburn, but the probes did not make contact. Winterburn entered a different room than the victim was in, shouted at the officer, and threw a metal chair down the stairs.
The female victim was able to walk down the stairs. Court documents indicate she was very distraught and said, “Oh my god, he almost killed me, you guys.” The female advised there were firearms in the house that Winterburn could have access to. Accordingly, police set up a perimeter and removed themselves from the residence. After the perimeter was set up, a nearby resident contacted law enforcement to advise that the male was hiding in his backyard behind a garage.
Winterburn was commanded to come out, which he eventually did. However, as officers got close to Winterburn, he took off running and ignored all commands to stop. Winterburn eventually tripped and fell. Winterburn rolled to his side and placed his hands near his stomach area, which was in close proximity to his un-searched pockets. An officer feared that Winterburn was reaching for a weapon. The officer struck Winterburn in the chest to force his hands away from his pockets. Winterburn was then restrained by police and arrested.
Detectives Speak With the Female Survivor
On May 11, 2023, Missoula Police Detectives interviewed the female, Jane Doe. A detective immediately saw deep purple bruising on her face and neck. She was petrified that Winterburn would be released and find her. She was given resources for obtaining an order of protection. Doe explained that Winterburn is her ex-husband. In March 2023, Winterburn asked Doe if she wanted to move into his residence to assist him in using the residence for an AirBnB.
After a couple of weeks, she said Winterburn started acting erratic and unstable. He started entering her room at night and trying to get in bed with her. He would leave when she asked, but it made her uncomfortable.
Winterburn then started having issues with other tenants in the home, including committing an alleged burglary that is currently pending in DC-23-283 and was committed on May 6, 2023. Winterburn was charged with felony burglary and was released on May 8, 2023.
On May 10, 2023, Winterburn allegedly entered Doe’s room and attacked her. During the attack, Winterburn also threatened to kill Doe multiple times. KGVO will not provide any further details about the alleged incident.
According to court documents, Doe tearfully expressed her thankfulness that someone must have heard her screaming for help because officers arrived very quickly. She went on to state, “you angels showed up right on time.”
Winterburn Faces Now Faces Several Charges
Detectives attempted to interview Winterburn, but he declined to speak about the offense without an attorney. This case was filed direct to District Court with a request to set bail to be set at $500,000.
Winterburn is currently in custody and is being charged with felony attempted deliberate homicide, felony attempted aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, partner or family member assault - 2nd offense, resisting arrest, and obstructing a peace officer or other public servant.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.