A Sikeston, Mo., man is being held without bond after being charged Friday morning in connection with a shooting that left one dead and two others wounded.
Ricky Dewayne Davis Jr., 31, was charged with the Class A felony of first-degree murder, two Class A felonies of first-degree assault and three unclassified felonies of armed criminal action by Butler County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Paul Oesterreicher.
Davis is accused of causing the death of Janice Thomas by shooting her and causing serious physical injury to Ladaijha Thomas and Oshay Thomas (-Allen) by shooting them on Thursday.
The charges stem from a incident, which occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday at a residence in the 1100 block of Franklin Street and was investigated by the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
Officers responded to the home regarding a man in the home with a gun, according to Lt. Josh Stewart's probable-cause statement.
"Upon arrival, officers heard several gunshots inside the home and observed what appeared to be projectile(s) exiting the home," Stewart said. "Officers were unable to see inside the residence; however, could hear screaming coming from inside."
As officers approached the home, a man, later identified as Davis, opened the front door.
"Davis laid down ... and was taken into custody," Stewart said. "Davis told officers to 'take me to jail' and advised he did not have the gun, but it was 'over there.'"
Inside the home, Stewart said, officers found six people, including three who were injured, including one fatally.
Ladaijha Thomas, who had multiple gunshot wounds, and Oshay Thomas(-Allen), who had been shot in the face, were found in a bedroom.
Both were taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Janice Thomas was found dead in another bedroom due to multiple gunshot wounds.
Dr. Russell Deidiker will perform an autopsy on the 36-year-old woman at 9 a.m. Monday in Farmington, Mo.
During an interview with Rayna Haggerty, who was visiting Janice Thomas, Stewart said, she described Davis as talking nonsense and appearing to be "under the influence of drugs."
"When she (Haggerty) began talking to Janice, he became increasingly more agitated," Stewart said.
Davis, Stewart said, began "yelling at Oshay, who was also in living room. As he started yelling, Janice told him he needed to leave the residence."
Davis reportedly grabbed his clothes from the washing machine, placed some items in a duffle bag, exited the home and sat on the front porch.
"After a short time, (Haggerty) heard a loud knock at the front door and Ladaijha said: 'Come on in,'" Stewart said. "Davis walked into the residence and locked the door behind him.
"Davis was talking about being disrespected and made mention of a gun, at which time, Ms. Haggerty took out her phone to call the police."
When Davis saw the phone, "he said: 'Don't be filming me,'" Stewart said. "He then removed a handgun from his waistband and lunged at (Haggerty) with the gun in his hand."
At that point, Stewart said, Janice Thomas came out of a bedroom and asked Davis what he was doing.
Everyone, with the exception of Janice Thomas, reportedly sought refuge in the locked bedroom.
"Janice remained outside the bedroom in an attempt to try to talk Ricky into dropping the gun," Stewart said.
After hearing Ladaijha Thomas on the phone with police, Davis allegedly forced the bedroom door open and shot her in the neck and leg.
"(Haggerty) heard several more gunshots, but was unable to see who or where Ricky was shooting," Stewart said. "She later saw that Oshay, who had been seated on the bed near the door, was shot through the mouth."
Davis, according to Haggerty's statement, went back to the living room after asking for and being given a cigarette.
Sharyae Farr, Stewart said, reported she and her aunt were talking in a bedroom when they heard a commotion and Haggerty screaming.
When her aunt opened the bedroom door, "Sharyae heard Oshay say that the man (Davis) pulled a gun on Rayna and took her phone," Stewart said.
Farr, he said, further reported hearing her aunt tell Davis to put the gun down and then heard "tussling" before the others joined her and her daughter in the bedroom.
After forcibly opening the door, Davis asked Ladaijha Thomas why she had called the police, then left briefly before returning and allegedly shooting her.
Davis allegedly pointed the gun at Farr, her 3-year-old daughter and Haggerty, but did not shoot them.
Farr, Stewart said, further reported she heard two more gunshots, which she "believed to be at Janice, who was in her bedroom."
Davis, who was told of his rights, was interviewed by Stewart and Detective Joey Woodruff.
" ... Davis explained he felt as though the persons present in the household intended to kill him," Stewart said. "He went on to explain that these suspicions stemmed from a shooting/homicide in Lilbourn, Mo., during which he was present."
Davis, according to Stewart, told them the victim's father in the Lilbourn incident had placed a "price of $20,000 on his head. Since this occurred, he has had people after him."
Stewart said Davis further reported he has been using methamphetamine regularly to stay alert and awake.
As far as the local incident, "Mr. Davis informed us ... Oshay began questioning him regarding" the Lilbourn incident, Stewart said.
"A short time later, he located a handgun magazine in the bathroom, which caused him to become uneasy," Stewart said. "Davis explained that he had possession of a one firearm, but knew of another present in the home."
Davis further allegedly Ladaijha Thomas, her mother and Thomas(-Allen) had kitchen knives on them, Stewart said.
"He went on to advise that as the police arrived, Ladaijha, then Janice, came at him with two knives, and that's when he 'did it,'" said Stewart, who indicated Farr earlier had "confirmed Ladaijha had several knives in her possession during the incident."
After being charged Friday morning, Davis subsequently appeared before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth for arraignment on the charges.
At that time, Davis requested a public defender represent him, according to docket entries on Casenet.
Katy New with the Public Defender's Office entered her appearance Davis' behalf, and her client waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Bloodworth reportedly found Davis poses a threat to the community and ordered he be held without bond.
Bloodworth also set Davis' preliminary hearing for 1 p.m. March 19.
In addition to the charges filed Friday, Davis also is being held in the Butler County jail on a capias warrant for probation violation on an original stealing charge and a warrant for parole violation.