ELLINGTON, Mo. -- A command post was set up Thursday to aid in the investigation of a shooting at a residence outside of Ellington that left one dead and two others hospitalized.
Shot in the incident, which occurred at about 4 p.m. Wednesday at a residence west of Ellington, were: 72-year-old Janet L. Nance, an 86-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman, said Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Kinder, Troop G's public information officer.
All three, Kinder said were transported to a St. Louis, Mo., area hospital, where Nance died of her injuries. An autopsy is expected to be performed on Nance, but details were not available by press time.
According to Kinder, the second female victim may be released from the hospital in the next day or so.
"She has gave a statement, and she is talking" to investigators, Kinder said.
The male victim, "the last I heard, he is critical," said Kinder, who indicated he had no further information regarding the man's condition this morning.
At about noon Thursday, Kinder said, a command post was set up at the Ellington City Hall.
"We probably have around 25 police officers assigned to that case now," explained Kinder.
The officers include members of the highway patrol, Reynolds County Sheriff's Department and Ellington Police Department, said Kinder.
"Also, the patrols' Violent Crimes Support Unit is there," Kinder said. "They are based in Jefferson City.
The unit, which is mostly clerical staff, is what Kinder described as an incident management system, "like a major case squad atmosphere.
"They are assigning leads sheets. They keep track of all the information that comes in and make sure that all the leads are taken care of (ensuring) proper disposition of all the leads that come in."
Although the unit is a case management system, Kinder said, it is very helpful, "especially if they don't have a major case squad."
When the investigation is "all done, they will be able to make a report of all the activities that the investigation included," Kinder said.
The officers, according to Kinder, are continuing to track down leads, including leads regarding blue cars.
A dark blue, mid-size sedan, possibly a Saturn, with a spoiler, has been identified as the suspect vehicle, Kinder said. The suspects are described as two white males.
"There are so many blue cars out there," Kinder said. "With the amount of information they have to go on, any blue car, they are interested in."
Kinder said there has not been a "sighting of the suspect car ... they are working leads" regarding a "blue car, but we don't know if it is the blue car."
At this time, Kinder said, a motive has not been established.
"Hopefully, they will be able to," Kinder said. "It's helpful in an investigation to be able to establish some type of motive."
Officers, according to Kinder, are "going to be there until it is over."
Anyone with information about the vehicle or suspects is asked to call the Reynolds County Sheriff's Department at 573-648-2491 or Highway Patrol at 417-469-3121.