By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
PINEVILLE, Mo. — A 39-year-old man, who reportedly shot and killed another man in self-defense Sunday night in Anderson, has been turned over to U.S. marshals in anticipation of a federal weapon charge.
McDonald County Sheriff Robert Evenson said Matthew D. Robertson, 32, died of a single shotgun blast during an altercation with Michael J. Smith at the Wallain Court apartment complex in Anderson, where both men lived in separate units.
Authorities received a call at 8:30 p.m. reporting the shooting at the apartments and found Robertson dead, the sheriff said. Evenson said deputies determined that Robertson was in the act of breaking in the door to Smith’s home when Smith shot him in the chest with a .410-gauge shotgun.
“It appears that he is not going to be charged with any homicide-related charge,” the sheriff said.
There were witnesses to the shooting whose accounts substantiate the self-defense claim, Evenson said.
Evenson said the shooting was preceded by an altercation Saturday night during which Robertson reportedly punched Smith in the face. A second exchange of words took place Sunday night outside Smith’s apartment, with Smith retreating inside and locking his door, the sheriff said. Evenson said Smith reportedly told Robertson before going inside that he did not want to fight.
“As (Robertson) forced the door, Smith fired one shot from his .410 shotgun, which struck Robertson in the chest and was immediately fatal,” the sheriff said.
Smith initially fled the scene. He was found at an address near Stella in Newton County, returned to McDonald County and held overnight while deputies investigated the shooting, Evenson said. The determination was made Monday not to charge him in the shooting, the sheriff said.
But, because of a prior felony conviction, the U.S. attorney’s office in Springfield plans to charge Smith with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Evenson said. Smith was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Specifics of the prior felony conviction were not available Monday night.
Records
Both men involved in a fatal shooting Sunday in Anderson had prior criminal records, according to McDonald County authorities.
Local News
Fatal shooting in Anderson deemed self-defense case
- Local News
-
-
Couple 'scoop out' ice cream business from the past
When 3-year-old Brynlee Rabel tried coconut ice cream for the first time Tuesday, it was love at first taste. “She got the vanilla, but when she tasted my coconut ice cream she had to have it,” said Kayleigh Daugherty, a Joplin resident who wanted Brynlee to share the same experience she had as a little girl when she visited Anderson’s Ice Cream.
-
Missouri National Guard releases records involving soldiers who looted from Wal-Mart
The Missouri National Guard has released records confirming that four soldiers were disciplined for taking merchandise from the ruins of a Wal-Mart store in Joplin one day after the tornado that devastated the city a year ago.
-
Joplin school board awards contract to complete demolition of JHS
The Joplin Board of Education on Tuesday night accepted a bid for finishing tornado-related demolition at the high school.
-
Auditor cites, commission covers potential shortfall in Jasper County sheriff’s budget
The Jasper County Commission on Tuesday approved the transfer of $23,000 onto the Law Enforcement Sales Tax fund available to the sheriff’s office to cover a potential budget shortfall.
-
Joplin METS director requests space for additional ambulance
If all goes like METS Director Jason Smith hopes, this time next year the service will have two ambulances in Webb City, housed in their own station. At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Smith requested that the council allow the Joplin-based Metro Emergency Transport System to rent or lease space at the former public works building, 110 E. Church St.
-
Mike Pound: Food competitions combine to make culinary heaven
It’s such a great idea, you wonder why someone didn’t think of it before. In fact, it’s such a good idea that it’s possible it came about by accident.
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
The Missouri Supreme Court has struck down part of a state harassment law enacted after the suicide of a St. Charles County teenager who was teased over the Internet.
-
Cattle rustlers strike again in SW Mo. county
The plague of cattle rustling goes on in southwest Missouri’s Greene County.
Sheriff Jim Arnott says the latest episode occurred sometime Sunday in Walnut Grove. -
Bids sought for Cherokee County water treatment plant
After many delays, construction bids are being sought for a water treatement plant and water tank for the Spring River Public Wholesale Water District No. 19.
-
Dog helps some get through the court process
Sophie, a mutt of a dog with draping ears and dotted brows, is helping people in St. Louis County court tell stories of crime to judges, investigators and attorneys.
- More Local News Headlines
-
