A suspect remains in the Boone County Jail after argument at a party led him to shoot another partygoer in the leg, a Boone County Sheriff’s Department news release stated.
Deputies responded to a shots fired call just before midnight on March 11. The call came from Patrick Baker’s residence on Highway NN West near Clark.
Five adults were present at Baker’s residence for a small party when Baker and another man started to argue, said sheriff’s department Maj. Tom Reddin.
“An argument between two people in the residence prompted the suspect to end up grabbing the shotgun,” Reddin said. “I don’t know the exact details of what started the initial confrontation.”
The fight became physical before Baker produced the .410 gauge shotgun. According to the news release, the two men struggled briefly over the shotgun and the victim was shot in the thigh.
The victim was taken to University Hospital by helicopter with non-life-threatening injuries. As of Thursday, Reddin did not have an update on the victim’s condition. No other partygoers were injured in the altercation.
Baker, 42, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a weapon and a failure to appear warrant.
Baker is charged with three felonies in the incident, according to the Missouri Revised Statutes. Unlawful use of a weapon, usually a Class D felony, is upgraded to a Class A felony because of the victim’s injury. First-degree assault, usually a Class B felony, is also upgraded to a Class A felony because of physical harm. Unlawful possession of a firearm is a Class C felony, and if convicted, armed criminal action carries a minimum sentence of three years in jail.
According to Boone County records, Baker remains in Boone County Jail on $5,000 bond.