Missoula Co. Attorney s Office report details crime trends
The annual Missoula County Attorney s Office annual report shows there was a rise in violent crime in 2020.
and last updated 2021-01-29 17:33:07-05
MISSOULA â On top of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may seem like thereâs been lots of violence in the news lately. Here in Missoula County, thatâs because there has been more than in years past.
2020 was a challenging year, bringing uncertainty, racial injustice, and financial insecurity and health concerns due to COVID-19 â and in Missoula County, our criminal justice system saw impacts.
âWe had a huge spike in violent crime, particularly in family-related violent crime,â said Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst.
Accused Killer Zakai Houck also Charged with Witness Tampering
20 year-old Zakai Houck appeared in Missoula District Court on Thursday to face charges of witness tampering in addition to deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence in the death of then 19 year-old Jonathan Wallack.
Houck is in the Missoula County Jail charged with deliberate homicide after a drug related shooting in which the victim was shot in the head and then dumped on Ancabide Lane in Upper Miller Creek in May of 2020.
Deputy County Attorney Mark Handelman was the prosecutor at Houck’s court appearance on Thursday.
“Mr. Houck was charged with deliberate homicide stemming from the death of someone back on May 11