BOZEMAN, Montana (March 29, 2024) – Today, at approximately 11 a.m., the Bozeman Police Department responded to Walmart (1500 N. 7th Ave.) after Gallatin County 911 received an emergency phone call for a fight in progress. As officers were responding to the location, the caller told dispatch one of the people involved in the fight had been stabbed.

Patrol officers, along with detectives, arrived within minutes and located both persons who were involved. An investigation revealed just prior to the fight the suspect had been huffing canned-air outside one of the store entrances. Shortly thereafter, the suspect began acting irate, and without provocation, physically assaulted a person who had been standing nearby. During the assault, the victim feared for their safety, and in self-defense, stabbed the suspect in the abdomen with a small pocketknife. The victim was able to separate from the suspect just prior to officers arriving on scene.

The suspect was transported for medical care and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The victim sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries.

Detectives concluded the victim’s actions were made in self-defense as they were lawfully protecting themselves from an unprovoked, physical assault. Detectives are continuing their investigation into this incident and anticipate forwarding their findings to local prosecutors for the suspect's actions.

“The staff at Walmart were instrumental during this investigation and provided an invaluable amount of support as they partnered with our investigation team,” Captain Joseph Swanson of the Bozeman Police Department stated.

Those who witnessed the assault are encouraged to contact Detective A. Kappler at 406-582-2028.