5 wounded in Joplin shootings; police say apparently random

Joplin Police are reporting shootings at two locations early this morning. There were four victims injured by gunshots and one victim struck by shrapnel.

Joplin authorities have identified five people wounded in apparently random shootings as they sat in their vehicles.

There was only one occupant in the vehicle and that person began firing shots, striking victims at 32 Street and Connecticut Ave. The officers chased the suspect, who officers report fired additional shots at people near 32nd St. and Texas Ave. The van was stopped at a light at 32nd Street and Connecticut Avenue, which is in Jasper County. Three adults in the van were injured, and two are hospitalized with injuries that are not life-threatening. One person is in critical but stable condition, one is listed as serious but stable condition and the third person has been released. Few details are available right now, but a pickup was found on Texas just off 32nd Street with bullet holes in the driver’s side door. As the suspect traveled through the intersection he fired multiple rounds. The driver was struck by rounds and the passenger was struck by shrapnel. Donal Pugh, the driver, was struck multiple times and was hospitalized in serious but stable condition while a passenger, Debbie Pugh, suffered minor injuries from shrapnel, police said.

The suspect continued fleeing westbound on 32 St. and Pearl Ave. after turning around.

A suspect has been taken into custody, but authorities say formal charges haven’t been filed.

Police Capt. Bob Higginbotham told AP Radio that there was no apparent motive for the shootings, which began after the suspect’s father called police to report the suspect was firing rounds at their home.

The Globe newspaper reported that there were more charges in Jasper County. The motivation for this event has yet to be determined.

Police arrested the suspect about 15 minutes after the incident was reported.

“If they hadn’t of gotten him to the hospital when they did, he wouldn’t be here”, she said.

Joplin Police are investigating a shooting. Investigators add that there does not appear to be any relationship between the suspect and the victims.

Officers located a possible suspect vehicle southbound on Connecticut Ave. The officers engaged in pursuit of the suspect during which the suspect fired shots at victims near 32nd St. and Texas Ave. These two victims were transported to a local hospital.

Neither Jasper County nor Newton County has charged Mourning with any crimes in conjunction with the alleged shots fired at Mourning’s duplex at 1810 S. Connecticut Ave., which triggered the initial call to police.