Police describe 'chaotic scene' at American Legion Post shooting

KENNETT — Police Chief Kenny Wilson is seeking information about the deadly shooting at American Legion Post 66 and Poplar Bluff veterans organizations are stressing caution when allowing others to use their posts.

Calling it the “most chaotic scene I have ever worked,” Wilson said he has been police chief in Kennett since 2018.

One person died and four others were wounded in the Sunday morning shooting. Two people were flown to Cape Girardeau in critical condition but are now considered stable, according to Wilson.

One of those patients had surgery this week to remove a bullet. The victim, who went to a Paragould, Arkansas, hospital, has been released and Wilson is not certain at which area hospital the other victim was treated.

Wilson is seeking any information about the incident, no matter how small. He will keep the person or persons providing the information confidential.

“No matter how small the details, it may help us out,” Wilson said. “It has been a long week. We are working around the clock.”

While the Kennett legion officials thought the event was a birthday, Wilson said, all they have been able to determine is it was a private party.

Wilson could not release the name of the deceased because “I don’t know if the family has been notified,” he said. “He was not a local resident.”

While law enforcement officials throughout the Bootheel are searching for a suspect or suspects in the shooting, Poplar Bluff AMVETS Post 29 Commander Richard Deason said local veterans groups like his post have talked about the incident. Deason also is a member and a past commander of the American Legion on Kanell Boulevard.

Deason said, local groups like the ones in which he’s involved, are cautious about who they allow to have private parties.

While they have never had problems, Deason stressed all groups should be careful when they allow others to use their posts’ facilities. He pointed out they should be aware of who they are allowing to rent the facilities.

“We have security,” stressed Deason, who served in the U.S. Army 23 years before he retired.

Wilson asks anyone with any information related to the incident contact him at the Kennett Police Department at 573-888-4622 or Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. David Patton at 573-840-9500.