FARMINGTON, Mo. -- A pathologist found a Poplar Bluff, Mo., man died as the result of gunshot wounds he suffered after allegedly brandishing a weapon at a deputy who had responded to a domestic dispute call.
Dr. Russell Deidiker performed an autopsy Wednesday morning on Steve Scott, 48, at a Farmington, Mo., hospital.
"The autopsy showed that (Scott) died as the result of gunshots sustained in the incident," said Butler County Coroner Andy Moore.
The incident referenced by Moore occurred between about 6:45 and 7 p.m. Tuesday in the driveway of Scott's home on Rice Road, off of Highway NN.
Scott, according to earlier reports, was shot by Butler County Chief Deputy Wesley Popp, who had responded to the man's home after a report of a "domestic situation where weapons were involved."
Prior to Popp's arrival, Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs earlier said, the deputy was told Scott was "on his way back to the residence and had made threats to the wife to do her serious physical harm."
Scott reportedly arrived shortly after the deputy, parking his truck behind Popp's patrol car.
"Chief Deputy Popp began trying to de-escalate the situation and talk to the individual, who was in a very agitated and belligerent state," said Dobbs, who indicated Scott was seated in his truck at this time.
"Despite his best efforts to de-escalate the situation and calm the individual down, he would not cooperate or get out of the vehicle to talk," Dobbs said. "Instead, he retrieved a pistol from inside his vehicle, while simultaneously continuing to curse the officer."
At some point, Dobbs said, Popp fired his weapon at the man after he "brandished the gun in a threatening manner."
"There is no doubt in my mind that Deputy Popp felt threatened for his life," Dobbs said.
Scott was pronounced dead at the scene by Moore, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control was called in to investigate the shooting.
Since the investigation into Scott's death and the shooting are ongoing, Moore said, he would not disclose how many times Scott had been shot or where his wounds were.
During the autopsy, Moore said, samples also were taken for toxicology analysis.
A "full toxicology screen" will be done, Moore said. "We're testing for everything."
Toxicology results, he said, usually take four to six weeks on average to be returned.
Popp, a 13-year veteran with the department, remains on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
"At this point, it appears that (Popp) acted in step with his training and also followed protocol," Dobbs said.