Area authorities responded to gunshots in the Boonville area.

Boonville Police Department officers and Cooper County Sheriff’s Office deputies were in the area of the Boonville Lions Park Aquatic Center when they heard several nearby gunshots ring out on March 11.

In a coordinated effort the officers identified a suspect vehicle and conducted a stop on that vehicle in the immediate area. The operator of that vehicle was an unlicensed, underage juvenile. During the investigation of this incident, the vehicle was searched, and officers seized marijuana, a semi-automatic handgun, and ammunition. Continuing the investigation, officers located fired cartridge cases on the roadway as well as a wallet for a nearby resident. Upon contacting the wallet’s owner, officers learned that the wallet and the handgun they seized a few moments prior, had been stolen out of the owner’s parked vehicle, just a short while before this incident occurred.

The juvenile was taken into custody and released to a Juvenile Officer.

At this time there is no evidence to suggest there was any intended victim for the shooting incident and no property damage has been discovered relative to the gunshots.

The Boonville Police Department wants to remind everyone to remove valuables from and lock their vehicle when it is unattended.