3 arrested after shooting near Holden

WARRENSBURG — Johnson County sheriff’s deputies arrested three people after a shooting north of Holden on Sunday left one victim in grave condition, Sheriff Charles Heiss said in a press conference Tuesday.

James V. Vitale, 45, and Dee A. Pagel, 37, both of Fenton, and Jason R. Booth, 25, of Pleasant Hill, were arrested in the robbery and shooting. 

Each was charged with one count of the class A felony of first-degree assault with serious physical injury, one count of the class B felony of first-degree assault and two counts each of felony armed criminal action.

Lisa L. Smith, 39, was shot during the altercation and remained in grave condition Tuesday afternoon, Heiss said.

“In the event the victim should die, we will amend the charges to include murder,” Heiss said.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a disturbance with shots fired at 263 SW state Route 131, north of Holden, at about 2:15 p.m. Sunday. Smith lived in the home with Darrell S. White, 48.

Authorities believe the three suspects tried to rob the home. Heiss said investigators found no signs of forced entry.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the three suspects approached the home to perpetrate a robbery of the home owner,” Heiss said.

One of the suspects fired a shot at White from close range. Heiss said White, who was not struck, fled for his life.

“We believe there was an attempt made on his life,” Heiss said. “Two suspects then entered the residence together and shot (Smith), leaving her for dead.”

Officers from the Holden Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the home where the disturbance was reported and found Smith inside, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Smith was airlifted to Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, where she remained in grave condition Tuesday.

While on the way to the reported disturbance, deputies received the description of a vehicle seen fleeing the area north on state Route 131.

Dep. Chris Johnson spotted the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver refused to stop. Johnson, joined by Trooper Russ Shaul, pursued the fleeing vehicle until it turned west onto county road NW 430 and stopped. 

When the vehicle came to a stop, the rear seat passenger fled on foot and was taken into custody by Shaul.

Officers also recovered a .22 caliber revolver they believe was used in the robbery.

Heiss said investigators believe the suspects were acquainted with the victims, but they do not yet know if anything was stolen from the home.