By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
SOUTHWEST CITY, Mo. — A rural McDonald County man is facing a charge of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of another man Sunday night at a home between Noel and Southwest City.
The McDonald County Sheriff’s Department was called at 10:45 p.m. to 827 Noigo Road, east of Southwest City, in reference to a shooting. Chief Deputy Gregg Sweeten said deputies found a 55-year-old man dead of multiple gunshot wounds.
A probable-cause affidavit and complaint sheet filed by the county prosecutor’s office identified the victim as David Surface and stated that he had been shot in the chest.
Sweeten said Buddy D. Bice, 67, who lives at the address, was arrested by deputies on suspicion of murder.
“He was taken into custody at the scene without incident,” Sweeten said.
Bice was arraigned Monday in McDonald County Circuit Court on a charge of first-degree murder. He remained in custody Monday night at the McDonald County Jail, with bond set at $100,000.
Sweeten declined to say how many times Surface had been shot or to discuss whether a gun had been recovered.
An autopsy was performed Monday in Springfield. Surface reportedly lived in McDonald County, but his most recent address was not available.
Sweeten told the Globe that Bice and the victim were acquainted. He said investigators were still working on the details of what happened.
“We don’t know for sure,” he said. “We believe it was due to a disturbance at the property there.”
Witnesses
Chief Deputy Gregg Sweeten said other witnesses were present when the shooting took place.
