ELLSINORE -- Carter County authorities continue to search for an Ellsinore man they consider armed and dangerous who has been on the lam for more than 24 hours after allegedly fatally shooting another man.
Jason E. Roberts was charged Tuesday with the Class A felony of first-degree murder and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action by Carter County Prosecuting Attorney Amanda Oesch.
A warrant was issued for the 44-year-old's arrest by Associate Circuit Judge Michael Ligons, who set Roberts' bond at $250,000 cash or corporate surety.
Roberts is charged with the shooting death of Rudy H. Hernandez early Tuesday morning.
An autopsy completed Tuesday afternoon by Dr. Russell Deidiker in Farmington showed the 34-year-old died from a "gunshot wound to the head," said Carter County Coroner Erik McSpadden.
The autopsy, he said, "mostly confirmed what we already knew."
Samples, McSpadden said, were taken for toxicology analysis.
Those results are pending as it "takes several weeks to get that back," he said.
Authorities learned of Hernandez's death at about 12:10 a.m. when deputies with the Carter County Sheriff's Department and the East Carter Ambulance were sent to a home on County Road 327 (Elm Springs Road) for a reported shooting, said Sheriff Rick Stephens, who indicated a witness had made the call.
Upon their arrival at the residence, Stephens said, deputies found a man, later identified as Hernandez, dead inside his home of an "apparent gunshot wound."
Roberts, who Stephens described as an acquaintance of Hernandez, was identified the alleged shooter.
Stephens said he requested and received assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and investigators with Troop G's Division of Drug and Crime Control.
During the investigation, officers interviewed a woman who reported Hernandez had been in a dispute with Roberts the previous evening, Chief Deputy Justin Eudaley wrote in his probable-cause statement.
Stephens confirmed officers are "investigating the possibility of an altercation prior to the incident," but indicated the motive is not being released at this time.
According to Eudaley, the woman, as well as another witness, told offices "Mr. Roberts departed from the residence, returned, entered the residence and fired the shot that killed Mr. Hernandez."
During the alleged dispute, "Roberts was armed with a rifle, departed and returned still carrying the rifle," Eudaley said. "Following the incident, Mr. Roberts fled from the residence.
"Mr. Roberts was observed (by witnesses) following the incident carrying the rifle before fleeing the area."
An extensive man hunt was conducted by officers with the sheriff's department, highway patrol and Ellsinore Police Department, said Stephens, who indicated he has received no information to indicate Roberts is not armed at this time.
The ground searches, he said, covered an area of about five square miles.
Stephens said the area was heavily wooden, with nearby residences and outbuildings.
"We were searching the woods all night (early Tuesday morning)," Stephens said.
Witnesses, he said, reported Roberts initially fled on foot, but "we don't know if he was picked up by somebody at a later time."
Stephens said officers have received several tips regarding possible sightings of Roberts, but none have panned out at this point.
The search for Roberts, who was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jean shorts, is ongoing today, Stephens said.
"I would consider it still an active search" for Roberts, Stephens said. "We've transitioned out of walking in the woods, but I can't say we won't be going back in the woods.
"At this point, we're not seeing any indications he is still in the woods ... but that could change."
Stephens said officers are continuing to follow several leads, as well as interview witnesses in an "attempt to further the investigation and locate the suspect."
"We're continuing to do routine patrols in the area, checking with residences of his known associates, as well as have been working with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office to check several residences in their county," Stephens explained.
Officers, he said, also have spoken with different federal agencies regarding possible assistance if they are unable to find Roberts.
"I've gotten solicitation from several different sheriff's offices in the state, as well as the (National) Park Service ... (and) the (U.S.) Secret Service" offering assistance, said Stephens.
Since it is unknown whether Roberts is armed, Stephens said, he still considers him armed and dangerous.
Stephens said the public should not attempt to contact or detain Roberts, but rather should immediately contact the nearest law enforcement agency.
If anyone has any information as to Roberts' whereabouts, please contact the Carter County Sheriff's Office at 573-323-4510 or the MSHP Troop G at 417-469-3121.