Arrest made after stolen tractor incident near Amsterdam

On 3/27/24 at approximately 1930 hours, dispatch received a call from a subject that advised they had a tractor stolen about 6 months ago. The calling party stated that they were following a truck that had the tractor on a trailer pulling it south from Amsterdam Missouri on Y Highway. 

They then advised that the driver of the truck had attempted to run them off the roadway. They were able to identify the driver as Justin Blake Kimbrough of Amoret. They advised that Kimbrough had pulled over and was attempting to off load the tractor in the middle of the road and then shot a gun toward the victims.

Kimbrough reportedly unstrapped the tractor and drove his truck out from underneath the tractor leaving the tractor in the middle of Y Highway. Deputies and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded and located Kimbrough at his residence in Amoret. 

Kimbrough was taken into custody and interviewed where he admitted to shooting in the direction of the victims but claimed it was in self defense. Kimbrough advised Detectives that approximately a quarter of a mile down the road he threw the gun out along the road. Multiple deputies responded to the area to search the roadside for the gun. Assistance was requested from Cass County Sheriffs Office canine unit for an article search for the gun.

A canine from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office arrived shortly after and also assisted in the search. After several hours of searching for the gun in the dark, Deputies terminated the search.

On March 28, deputies resumed searching for the gun along the roadway for approximately 4 miles. A third canine from the Missouri Department of Conservation, is responding to assist in the attempt to find the gun.

Kimbrough has been charged by the Bates County Prosecutor with 1 count of unlawful use of a weapon and 2 counts of assault 2nd degree. Bond was set at $50,000 cash only.