Area authorities are investigating after shots were fired on Friday, July 8.

According to the Sedalia Police Department, officers responded to Housel Park, and the reporting person stated two vehicles were seen leaving the scene at a high rate of speed after the shots were fired.

Shortly after, Pettis County Joint Communications received a call from a person in a vehicle stating their 23-month-old sibling had been shot in the foot while they were at the park. An ambulance and officers located the vehicle and the child along with another adult male. Both were treated at the Bothwell Regional Health Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police broadcast information about the suspect vehicle to area law enforcement. On Saturday, July 9, Pettis County Deputies stopped the suspect vehicle at 11th Street and Kentucky. The 20-year-old driver, James A. Lowe, of Sedalia, was arrested on an unrelated drug charge.

The Sedalia Criminal Investigation Unit found that a possible drug deal had been arranged prior to the shooting. The parties involved engaged in a disturbance that escalated into shots being fired. The shots were fired into the vehicle in which the child was riding as they fled the scene. One bullet went through the back door, which struck the foot of the child.

Court documents say Lowe is charged with felonies for unlawful use of a weapon- shooting at or from a moving vehicle, at a person or building- causing death or injury; assault in the first degree or attempt; armed criminal action; and assault in the second degree. Bond is set at $50,000 cash or surety.

Lowe was arraigned on July 11. His next hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26.

Detectives continue to work the case and expect to make additional arrests. If anyone has information about this incident, you are urged to contact Detective Jill Reed at (660) 827-7823, extension 1213.