Billings residents have recently come together to share alarming experiences of potential stalking at local stores, particularly highlighting incidents at Target on Central Avenue. A Facebook post regarding these troubling occurrences has sparked significant discussion among women in the community, with many recounting their own unsettling encounters.
Local hairdresser and tattoo artist Hallee Knox detailed a troubling event involving her 15-year-old daughter, who felt followed during a late-night visit to Target. Knox recounted that her daughter encountered a group of individuals who continuously shadowed her through different aisles. “Being made to feel uncomfortable, it’s a scary thing,” Knox stated. Following their store visit, Knox noted her daughter felt she was still being monitored as the same group trailed her car on Central Avenue until she sought refuge in a gas station.
Another resident, Kyla Kinker, shared a similar story that took place at Rimrock Mall, where she felt someone trailing her and her daughter. “We were walking to the play area, and all of a sudden, I feel someone behind me,” Kinker explained. She described a man following them, appearing to record on his phone until they managed to evade him by entering a busier store. “It was fear, and I just wanted to run and hide,” Kinker added, emphasizing the gut-wrenching nature of the experience.
Billings Police Lieutenant Samantha Puckett noted that although such reports are uncommon, they do receive a handful of these calls every year. “We do get calls occasionally, I wouldn’t say that it’s a frequent thing,” she remarked. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes stalking as a significant public health issue, with one in three women experiencing it at some point in their lives. Alarmingly, 58 percent encounter such situations prior to turning 25.
Puckett urged community members to remain vigilant: “Regardless of the time of day, be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions like your phone. If you feel uncomfortable, head to a busy area, and if it’s an emergency, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.”
This advice resonates deeply with Knox and Kinker, both of whom underscore the importance of situational awareness in mitigating risks. “If you’re in a situation, it’s always better to overreact because the second that you don’t, that’s when something can go terribly wrong,” Knox advised, echoing a sentiment of caution that all women can resonate with.
