Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 4, 2022, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Missoula Police Department officers responded to gunshots fired at a vehicle downtown. Police Public Information Officer Lydia Arnold picks up the story. 

“The Missoula Police Department responded and observed a vehicle with a bullet hole with a trajectory directly toward the front passenger seat of the vehicle,” Arnold said. “Officers located the suspect, Richard Pockrandt, near the intersection of Front and Orange. When contact was made, officers ordered Pockrandt to place his hands in the air and face away from them.” 

Arnold said the officers ordered Pockrandt to not grab his firearm. However, Pockrandt dropped his left hand to his waist instead. 

“The officer drew his department-issued handgun and continued to give orders to Pockrandt,” Arnold said. “Officers could see a concealed holster on Pockrandt, but could not see a firearm. Pockrandt was taken into custody without additional incident and a pistol was retrieved from Pockrandt’s right front jean pocket. There was a loaded magazine in his left pocket.” 

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According to Arnold, the initial incident started when Pockrandt made contact with two victims who were smoking outside a local bar. 

“Pockrandt demanded cigarettes from them,” Arnold said. “The victim did not have any additional cigarettes and suggested Pockrandt check at a different local bar. Pockrandt put his arm around the victim’s torso and pushed the victim in a direction of a local bar. Pockrandt then pulled the gun from his coat pocket and asked the victim, ‘what do you think about this?’ Pockrandt demanded the victim buy him cigarettes.” 

Court documents indicate Pockrandt then told the victim they were going to play cards at a different local bar. The victim said they were afraid to tell Pockrandt no due to the gun. 

When they got to the other bar, the victim told an employee that Pockrandt had a gun, and Pockrandt was kicked out. 

“Pockrandt engaged in an argument with the second victim and pulled a gun from his coat pocket again,” Arnold said. “Both victims began to run towards the victim’s vehicle. The victims got into the vehicle and started to pull away when the victims heard a projectile hit the vehicle. Neither victim knew Pockrandt and this incident is still under investigation with the Missoula Police Department Detective Division.” 

An officer observed a bullet hole in the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle a few inches lower than the gas cap. The trajectory was directly towards the front passenger seat where one victim was sitting. 

When speaking with officers, Pockrandt stated he did not understand his rights because he drank alcohol and did not have a good understanding of what officers were saying. He provided jail staff with a breath sample of .220 BAC. 

Pockrandt is currently being charged with two counts of felony assault with a weapon, felony intimidation, and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence.  

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

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