Poplar Bluff veterans group impacted by Kennett shootings

A deadly shooting at the American Legion Post 66 in Kennett, Missouri, will have Poplar Bluff veterans organizations gathering in the coming days to investigate what kind of moral support their comrades in Dunklin County may need, as well as scrutinizing their own groups’ security.

One person died and four others were wounded in an overnight shooting at an American Legion in Kennett, Kennett police said Sunday. Two people were flown to a hospital in Cape Girardeau in critical condition. Two other victims were being treated at area hospitals.

The building is near the Delta Fairgrounds in Kennett and is available to rent, and Kennett Mayor Chancellor Wayne said a private party was being held there Saturday night.

Richard Deason, commander for Poplar Bluff’s AMVETS Post 29 on Harper Street, said his group met Monday night. Deason served in the U.S. Army for 23 years before he retired. He’s also a member and a past commander of the American Legion on Kanell Boulevard.

Deason said, when his group allows private parties, the post has an armed member on the scene.

“We have a member that’s there to make sure there’s no trouble,” Deason said.

While the AMVETS met immediately, Bill Murphy, adjunct for the Brown-Mabry Post of the American Legion on Kanell Boulevard, had not learned about the weekend shooting until early Monday morning.

Murphy wants to learn exactly what happened and if it involved members against members, or someone from outside the post.

Stressing “the only people that can get into our post are members,” Murphy explained the members have electronic key lock cards and “you can’t get in without a card.”

Murphy said the legion does rent its back hall for private parties.

Larry Kimbrow said the Vietnam Veterans of America chapter in Poplar Bluff rents a place to meet.

“It’s only for our meetings, which is comprised of our guests and our members,” Kimbrow said.

Kimbrow added, when the Vietnam veterans rent a hall, “we pay part-time security to come do the security outside, even during a good night.”

VFW Commander Ralph Innes respectfully declined to comment about the situation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office are helping with the investigation.

No arrests had been made in the incident as of Monday afternoon.

Kennett Police Lt. Craig Moody said Monday afternoon he had no additional information about the incident.

Anyone with information concerning the shooting may contact the Kennett Police Department at 573-888-4622 or Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. David Patton at 573-840-9500.