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. Four people were injured by gunshots and one was struck by shrapnel. The suspect, Tom S. Mourning II, 26, was driving south on Connecticut Avenue when police prepared to stop his vehicle, they said during a press conference this morning.
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Police began pursuing a suspect vehicle, when police said the driver of that vehicle fired shots at the church van, which was stopped at a traffic light. Mourning then headed east on 32nd Street, firing multiple shots at a white Dodge Ram at 32nd and Texas before making a u-turn, heading west on 32nd Street.
“This came out of the blue, and all of a sudden people were shot and going to the hospital”, said Jason Glaskey, director of Christian education at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where three of the injured people participate in the church’s Comfort Dog ministry. One person is in critical but stable condition, one is listed as serious but stable condition and the third person has been released. As the suspect traveled through the intersection he fired multiple rounds. It hasn’t been released if the passenger of the pick-up was grazed a bullet or hit by shrapnel, but that victim has been treated and released. The driver remains hospitalized, and the passenger was released. At 32nd St. and Pearl Ave., the suspect turned north onto Pearl Ave.
Around 30 St. and Pearl Ave., the suspect exited his slowly moving vehicle and submitted to arrest around 5:22 a.m.
Police took a 26-year-old suspect into custody, The Joplin Globe reported. Charges haven’t been submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office, so the suspect has not been charged yet.
Motivation for the shooting spree has yet to be determined.
Police arrested the suspect about 15 minutes after the incident was reported. Investigators add that there does not appear to be any relationship between the suspect and the victims. This story will be updated at joplinglobe.com with more details as they become available.
Officers located a possible suspect vehicle southbound on Connecticut Ave.
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The suspect turned around and continued fleeing westbound on 32nd St. As they were preparing to engage in a vehicle stop, the sole occupant and operator of the vehicle fired shots striking victims at 32nd St. and Connecticut Ave. No injuries were reported at the first scene- 18th and CT.
