Fight Erupts at the Poverello Center in Missoula Over Racial Slurs

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 2, 2024, Missoula Police Department Officers were dispatched to the Poverello Center for a report of two females fighting. Officers arrived on scene and the female victim, Jane Doe, was sitting on 37-year-old Israel Gillette-Bulltail.  

An officer spoke to a witness who stated Gillette-Bulltail initiated the physical altercation and was calling Doe racial names. Doe tried walking away from Gillette-Bulltail, but Gillette-Bulltail followed Doe and physically fought her.  

An officer spoke to Doe who said she was in her RV when her dog started barking, which was not normal. Doe went to the RV door and found Gillette-Bulltail standing outside. According to court documents, Gillette-Bulltail was yelling at Doe and called her the n-word. Doe yelled back at Gillette-Bulltail hoping she would leave.  

Gillette-Bulltail did not and then punched Doe. A physical confrontation ensued with Doe eventually sitting on top of Gillette-Bulltail to restrain her until law enforcement arrived. The officer observed visible swelling over Doe’s left eye and scrapes on both of her elbows.  

Meanwhile, another officer was attempting to place Gillette-Bulltail under arrest. Gillette-Bulltail began growling and physically attempted to prevent the arrest. The officer grabbed Gillette-Bulltail's wrists and tried to put her in handcuffs. However, Gillette-Bulltail attempted to kick, flail, and bite the officer. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Gillette-Bulltail eventually had to be placed in the WRAP device and was transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital before she was then transported to the jail. At the jail, detention officers conducted an inventory search of Gillette-Bulltail's belongings and located a baggie of methamphetamine. They also found four glass smoking pipes, all of which had a white residue coating. 

Gillette-Bulltail is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, and assault.  

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