One person remains in a St. Louis hospital after being shot Monday night in Poplar Bluff, while another is being sought for his alleged role in the incident.
“On Monday, Aug. 23, Butler County deputies and troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to a 911 call of a shooting that occurred at apartments located in the 1300 block of Highway 53,” Chief Deputy Wes Popp said in a news release.
That call came in at 6:50 p.m., according to information from the sheriff’s department.
According to the caller, Popp said, a silver Ford Mustang was chasing a white Ford Crown Victoria from the Casey’s store on Ditch Road to the Highway 53 apartments, trying to run it off the road.
“The chase ended at the apartments across from 53 Package and shots were exchanged,” Popp said.
Those in the Crown Victoria, Popp said, had parked at the apartments when the occupants of the Mustang allegedly drove up and started firing. That’s when family members of the Crown Victoria’s occupants inside the apartments came outside and reportedly returned fire.
“Shots were fired back and forth,” Popp said.
A male passenger in the Mustang suffered a gunshot wound and was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and later was flown to a St. Louis hospital.
“I don’t think it’s life threatening,” Popp said.
The victim’s name is not being released at this time.
The driver of the Mustang, Popp noted, ran from the scene but has been identified, “so we’re actively looking for him.”
The case remains under investigation, Popp said, with several search warrants expected.
“This case is complicated,” he said. “That’s why it’s taking little bit to get everything tied up.”
Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, sheriff’s department officials said Tuesday afternoon they could not release the name of the suspect or others involved in the incident.