Missoula Woman Pepper-sprays Bookstore Employee

She had been trespassed from the store three days prior.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A 60-year-old Missoula woman named Erin Riggs was arrested after she pepper-sprayed a Barnes & Noble employee, John Doe, who was attempting to escort her out of the store. Riggs had been trespassed from the store three days earlier but continued to return, causing problems and damaging property.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges that retail businesses face in dealing with disruptive and potentially dangerous customers. It also raises questions about mental health, trespassing laws, and how to balance customer service with maintaining a safe environment for employees and other patrons.

The details

According to police, Riggs called in to identify herself as the person who had pepper-sprayed the employee. She claimed the employee was about to attack her, but witnesses reported that the employee, John Doe, was 'very nicely' telling Riggs to leave after she had been trespassed. When Doe began escorting Riggs out, she started hurling obscenities at him and then turned around and pepper-sprayed him in the face.

  • On February 6, 2026, Missoula Police Department Officers were called to the Barnes and Noble at 2640 N. Reserve Street.
  • Three days prior, the store manager had trespassed Riggs from the store.

The players

Erin Riggs

A 60-year-old Missoula woman who had been trespassed from the Barnes & Noble store three days prior but continued to return, causing problems and damaging property.

John Doe

A Barnes & Noble employee who was attempting to escort Riggs out of the store when she pepper-sprayed him in the face.

Barnes & Noble

The bookstore where the incident occurred, located at 2640 N. Reserve Street in Missoula, Montana.

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What they’re saying

“Riggs stated that because the staff had been so rude to her, she had written a letter to the US Attorney General about how they had treated her.”

— Erin Riggs (z100missoula.com)

“The manager stated that when Riggs was told in the past to leave, Riggs was 'grumbly' about it but was cooperative.”

— Barnes & Noble Manager (z100missoula.com)

“She said Riggs responded poorly and began 'freaking out.'”

— Witness/Employee, Works in the café with John Doe (z100missoula.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Erin Riggs to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges that retail businesses face in dealing with disruptive and potentially dangerous customers, and the need for clear policies and procedures to address trespassing and maintain a safe environment for employees and patrons.