The reporting party identified the vehicle as a newer white GMC Terrain, reporting that they had left the area last seen traveling west bound on 52 Highway. Deputies responded to the scene and additional deputies were called out from home to assist in the search for the suspect vehicle. A broadcast was sent out to local agencies about the nature of the incident and potential suspects. The reporting party identified two female suspects and possibly two males that were supposed to be in the vehicle and that the single shot came from the rear seat of the vehicle.
Sharing information with Butler Police Department and they identified that they were familiar with the subjects and knew a general area the vehicle could be. Officers from the Butler Police Department began canvassing known areas of the suspects as Deputies responded to town to assist.
Sheriff Anderson located the vehicle at an apartment complex on South Delaware. As the Sheriff was attempting to set up surveillance on the vehicle until additional officers could arrive, two females exited an apartment and began to get into the vehicle. Sheriff Anderson blocked the vehicle in and placed both females at gun point until additional units could arrive to take them into custody. The females were the same females identified by the reporting party.
Butler Officers, Missouri State Highway Patrol and additional deputies arrived and secured the females. Information was quickly received that they had just left the apartment where two males were in the apartment. With the females secured attempts were made to contact the male subjects with them refusing to come to the door. Because of the danger of the possibility that the males may have been involved and a weapon was involved the decision was made to evacuate the occupants of the connecting apartments.
The Bates County Sheriff's Office activated the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team and Butler Police Department called additional officers from home to the scene.
After approximately 45 minutes the occupants in the apartment called a friend who brought the command staff their phone and communication was established with the males. After a short conversation the two male subjects agreed to come out of the house.
After approximately 45 minutes the occupants in the apartment called a friend who brought the command staff their phone and communication was established with the males. After a short conversation the two male subjects agreed to come out of the house.
An arrest team made up of a mix of each agency was quickly formed and the subjects were taken into custody without incident. The occupants gave Detectives consent to search the house and no weapons were located. All four subjects were taken to the Sheriff's Office were Detectives conducted extensive interviews until early hours of the morning to identify if they were involved in the original call.
After independently confirming the locations of the subjects in custody at the time of the shots fired call, it was determined that they were no longer suspects in the case. Additionally, the Deputy at the scene was unable to locate any shell casings or location where anything was hit by the gun fire.
All four subjects were released based on the fact that there was no independent evidence connecting the four to the shooting call.
Sheriff Anderson said, 'While we are still uncertain why the males subjects refused to come out of the house for approximately 45 minutes, a complete and detailed investigation found they did not have any part in the shots fired call. The cooperation of the public and team work of all the Officers and agencies that responded are something for our community to be proud of.
Sheriff Anderson said, 'While we are still uncertain why the males subjects refused to come out of the house for approximately 45 minutes, a complete and detailed investigation found they did not have any part in the shots fired call. The cooperation of the public and team work of all the Officers and agencies that responded are something for our community to be proud of.
As a small community with limited resources we have to help each other and a call of this magnitude could have ended completely different and with tragic results. I'm sure I wasn't very popular with the spouses and loved ones who had Valentines Day plans with the Deputies and Officers, but this highlights the sacrifices that law enforcement families make everyday. And so I thank them for their patience also "
Courtesy of the Bates County Sheriff's Office
Courtesy of the Bates County Sheriff's Office
