Missoula Shooting Update: Man Charged, Gets $500,000 Bond

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - During the early morning hours of September 1, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to a reported shooting near a downtown bar. The complainant advised that a male had been shot in the side and was bleeding. Several officers arrived on the scene and observed the male, John Doe. Officers saw blood in Doe’s mouth and on his sweatshirt. Medical arrived on scene and Doe was transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital. 

An officer spoke to multiple witnesses. One said he observed a male walk past him in the parking garage who made statements that “I popped that n***a.” The witness described the male as black, approximately 6’3’’, wearing a red ski mask, white t-shirt, and darker jeans. 

Another officer spoke to an employee of the bar who advised he had video of the suspect prior to the shooting. The officer observed the video and saw a male matching the description given by the witness from the parking garage. 

Suspect is Located 

Shortly after speaking to the witness, the officer heard over the radio that Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputies located a possible suspect on Ryman Street. The male was identified as 22-year-old Thatcher Mullan. 

Mullan was interviewed by detectives with the officer present. Prior to the interview, the officer observed that Mullan had paper bags on his hands but had removed one of them. Mullan first claimed he did not know what was happening, but later claimed he heard a gunshot and admitted to being in the area of the shooting. 

Mullan admitted he had a red backpack that he ditched somewhere prior to being contacted by police. He also admitted to carrying a gun and claimed it was in his backpack. 

Law enforcement exited the interview room. While the detective was retrieving DNA swabs and a Gunshot Residue Kit to execute a previously granted search warrant, the officer saw Mullan manipulating his hands on the wall, retrieving a bottle of water, placing it behind his back, and back up against the wall.  

The officer entered the interview room and confronted Mullan. Mullan claimed he was not trying to rinse his hands but trying to take a drink. The officer found this unplausible as Mullan’s hands were handcuffed behind his back. The officer observed droplets of water on the wall where Mullan was standing. Mullan later seemed to wipe his hands on a blanket that was provided. 

Officers Locate Evidence 

Law enforcement canvassed the nearby area to locate possible items of evidentiary value. They first located the white t-shirt Mullan was wearing on the sidewalk in the 500 block of Ryman Street. A red backpack was located in a bush off an alley in the 400 block of Ryman Street. A black Smith and Wesson .357 revolver was found inside a green compost bin in the alley on the west side of Higgins Avenue. 

READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports

Mullan is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon, felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and felony attempted tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. His bond was set at $500,000. According to court documents, the investigation is ongoing. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.