On Tuesday, November 5, Pettis County Deputies were called to the 16000 block of Oak Point Road in rural La Monte in reference to a verbal domestic disturbance.
A news release from Sheriff Kevin Bond says after making contact with the caller at a nearby residence, four deputies and a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper arrived at the home about 6:33 p.m. and were met by an intoxicated male with a shotgun.
Officers ordered the man to put down the weapon, but he fired at them and they returned fire, striking the shooter. The officers performed lifesaving measures until relieved by Pettis County Ambulance personnel, but the man died of his injuries at the scene. No officers were injured in the incident.
Investigators from the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) and the Pettis County Coroner’s Office completed the scene investigation overnight.
This morning, the Pettis County Coroner has released the identity of the deceased shooter as 58-year-old Jay P. Messer, of La Monte. The body was removed from the scene by the Coroner, and an autopsy will be conducted by the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Officer later this week.
Anyone with information on the matter may contact the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 827-0052.