Man Threatens Neighbor With a Firearm at a Missoula Campground

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On April 7, 2025, at approximately 7:35 PM, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was dispatched to a disturbance at the Turah Store and Campground. The reporting party, the manager, reported that three long-term tenants were involved in an argument over a dog. 

At approximately 8:00 PM, a sergeant had already arrived and secured the scene. He was standing with 63-year-old John Harris. The deputy proceeded to interview the other involved parties. A male, John Doe 1, and his wife stated they had just returned to their trailer from the store when another male, John Doe 2, approached them to speak about an ongoing issue regarding Doe 2’s dog being off-leash and on other residents’ property. The conversation escalated into a heated argument. Doe 1 reported that during the argument, Doe 2 "body-checked" him. In response, Doe 1 pushed Doe 2 away. 

The argument continued in front of Harris's residence. Reportedly, Harris exited his trailer holding a firearm in a leather holster. Doe 1 reported that Harris said something to the effect of, “I'd love to shoot you because you’re a sex offender. You guys need to take your argument or your fight out to the road.” Doe 1 reported that he and Doe 2 moved their argument to the road area, and the manager arrived a short time later. 

Doe 1 reported that Harris then went back into his trailer briefly and returned outside. Harris then said something about “shooting [him] between the eyes” and pointed the pistol at him. The parties continued to argue but eventually separated. A witness also reported that Harris said something to the effect of “shooting Doe 1 between the eyes”. 

Harris was then interviewed. According to court documents, Harris admitted that he retrieved his pistol with the intent of protecting Doe 2. Harris also admitted that he was standing in his parking area and said, "I'd love to shoot you right between the eyes", while holding his pistol. Harris claimed that he never took the pistol out of its holster, the pistol did not have a magazine in it, and he returned it to his trailer before law enforcement arrived. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

The deputy asked if law enforcement could retrieve his pistol, and Harris agreed. The deputy noted that Harris was wearing a green plate carrier ballistic vest. The deputy asked Harris about the vest, and he said that he was an old man and needed it for protection. The pistol was located on the kitchen counter and it did not have a magazine inserted or a round chambered. 

Harris was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony assault with a weapon. His bond was set at $50,000. 

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