Police Nab Man For Strangulation, Female Victim’s 2-Year-Old Son Was Present

Just before 7:00 Thursday night, Missoula Police officers were called to the report of a disturbance in the 1100 block of 34^th street. A woman called and reported that her daughter had been assaulted and strangled. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh says officers arrived at the location and made contact with the 20-year-old victim.

“The victim reported that 36-year-old Isaac Holmes had assaulted her after an argument over relationship issues and had actually grabbed her throat with both hands and cut off her ability to breath to the point where she felt she was going to pass out,” Welsh said. “However, he released her at about that point.”

Officers searched the area, but the victim said Holmes left before officers arrived. Officers quickly located Holmes in his residence and he was taken into custody. According to Welsh, a child was present when the assault took place.

“The victim reported that at the time the disagreement began, her 2-year-old son was taking a bath,” Welsh said. “At one point she retrieved him from the bath tub and placed him in a back bedroom, where he would be safer. However, the disturbance continued and she reported that Holmes continued to assault her until she was able to leave the resident with her son and go to her mother’s location.”

Holmes is being held for strangulation of a partner or family member, which is a felony. He is also being held for partner assault and unlawful restraint. The female victim was transported to the hospital due to the injures she received from the assault.