Missoula Man Left in a Pool of Blood After an Assault at the POV
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On August 31, 2026, multiple disturbances occurred at and near the Poverello Center involving John Doe. Staff and witnesses would later report that Doe had been assaulted several times throughout the day, including incidents at a park, in the Poverello courtyard, and in the parking lot. Missoula Police Department Officers had responded to several of these earlier events.
Witnesses stated that one of the earlier incidents involved 36-year-old Derek Fontes assaulting Doe in the Poverello parking lot. During that encounter, Doe refused medical attention, declined to provide a statement, and declined to participate in the investigation. Staff stated Doe was on a 30‑day exclusion from the Poverello property, and officers removed him from the premises. Fontes is also currently trespassed from the Poverello Center.
Poverello staff and witnesses described ongoing tension between Doe and a group including Fontes. Witnesses stated Doe repeatedly approached the group because he believed another individual’s dog belonged to him. Staff indicated Doe had been “running his mouth” but was not initially harming anyone. Witnesses described repeated verbal disputes, with Doe returning to the group multiple times throughout the day.
The Evening Assault: Bloodshed on West Broadway
Shortly after 7:00 p.m., officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an assault and a male lying in the street on West Broadway outside of the Poverello Center. An officer arrived and found Doe lying in a traffic lane. Doe was covered in blood, actively bleeding from facial and head lacerations. There was also significant swelling to Doe’s face, and his left eye appeared swollen completely shut. Blood puddles were present around Doe, and his clothing was soaked with blood. A Poverello Center employee stated that DOE had been assaulted by Fontes and that Fontes had fled toward North California Street.
Officers located Fontes on the California Street Footbridge. He complied with commands, was handcuffed without incident, searched, and escorted to patrol vehicles. Before questioning, Fontes also made spontaneous statements admitting he assaulted Doe and appeared apologetic for his actions. After being Mirandized, Fontes claimed Doe attacked him first, and he acted in self-defense. Fontes also admitted he was on Poverello property despite being trespassed.
A Poverello Center employee said he observed the confrontation. He reported Doe was backing up while Fontes continued to instigate. He said he briefly went inside and, upon returning, saw Fontes “walk into the street and call [Doe] out” and then “charge” him, causing Doe to fall. After Doe fell, he said another individual approached and began hitting Doe as well. He and another staff member estimated Doe had been beaten up three times earlier that day, possibly by the same group.
READ MORE: Missoula News - Crime Reports
Medical Response: Injuries and Treatment of John Doe
Doe was transported by ambulance to St. Patrick Hospital. A CT scan revealed that Doe sustained an orbital fracture requiring surgical repair. A lumbar fracture was also noted, but medical staff could not determine whether it resulted from this incident or an earlier one. Doe declined to provide a statement about the assault.
Fontes was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. He is currently being charged with felony aggravated assault, and his bond was set at $25,000.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.
