From the News-Leader. Tis a privilege to live in the Ozarks
Shooting prompted by conflict over woman, hat
Depending on who tells the story, a double shooting outside a Springfield nightclub Saturday morning was caused either by a conflict over a woman or a stolen hat.
A document used to charge Ozark resident Johnathon L. Kates in the incident includes both scenarios.
Kates, 21, is accused of opening fire on two men with an AR-15 rifle outside the Electric Cowboy nightclub, 3636 S. Campbell Ave., at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
Later that day, he was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action in connection with one victim's injuries.
A probable cause statement filed with the charges sheds new light on what preceded the shooting.
Victim John Miller allegedly told police Kates and his friends "were jealous over a girl that was talking with his buddy," the document says.
When a fight broke out in the parking lot, Miller said Kates went to a pickup truck and "pulled out an assault rifle."
Miller said he tried to wrest the weapon from the man's grip, but was shot in the process. He told police he continued to struggle with Kates and, following several more shots, got the gun away from him.
"Miller said he struck the male with the butt of the rifle and started stomping on his head several times," the document says.
Timothy Merritt, a friend of Kates, told a different story.
He said Kates' hat went missing at some point in the night. The friends later identified a man they believed took it and began fighting with the man in the parking lot, the probable cause statement says. Bouncers broke up one of the fights, but another ensued, Merritt said.
Merritt told police Kates went to the pickup and got a gun, and that he lay on the ground as shots rang out.
Then, there's Kates, who spoke to an officer in St. John's Hospital.
He allegedly told the officer that he didn't know what happened, asking "Did I shoot someone?"
According to the probable cause statement, he then told the officer:
"I keep an AR-15 in my truck and if anyone (expletive) with me, that's the first place I run."
Kates pleaded not guilty to the charges in an arraignment hearing Monday. He's next scheduled to appear in court Nov. 5.
2 comments:
"Did I shoot someone?" he then told the officer:"I keep an AR-15 in my truck and if anyone (expletive) with me, that's the first place I run." YEAH ME TOO
Kates pleaded not guilty to the charges FOR REASON OF STUPIDITY.
It sounds like a classy bar. They might want to play a little more Johnny Cash. Maybe Don't Take Your Guns to Town
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