Two people sought following a weekend shooting in Poplar Bluff

Poplar Bluff police have released a person of interest taken into custody Sunday evening in relation to a weekend shooting.

They have now identified and are seeking two suspected shooters in the incident, Michael Fry, 34, and Michael Melvin, 38, both of Poplar Bluff.

The blue Ford Explorer that was sought in connection with the incident has also been impounded, said police Chief Danny Whiteley.

Michael Melvin

The investigation is ongoing across multiple jurisdictions, he said.

The suspects are considered armed and dangerous, said Detective Corey Mitchell.

The shooting occurred around 5 p.m. Saturday, after the Ford Explorer, containing the suspects, and another vehicle left the Villa on Highway 53, Mitchell said. It is believed to be the result of an incident that started at the Villa and escalated, although officers are still collecting information.

Shots were fired from the Ford Explorer as the two vehicles traveled west in the 1400 section of Highway 53, Mitchell said.

“The Explorer pulled up on the outside lane and opened fire,” he said. “We have identified both shooters and we are currently seeking formal charges.”

A 27-year-old male in a Nissan Quest van was shot in the arm and later treated at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The man and two other people in the van, a 32-year-old female and a 51-year-old male, are all of Poplar Bluff.

No one else was injured, Mitchell said, but the van was struck several times. Police continue to investigate and process the van, but believe a .9-mm and a .22-caliber weapon were used.

There were several individuals in the Explorer, Mitchell said.

“We certainly want to thank the citizens for the calls that came in,” Whiteley said, of the response since police asked for the public’s help to identify the suspects.

Additional information will be released at www.darnews.com as it becomes available.