Wednesday, Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders announced an arrest in an April 9 shooting on Goodwill Chapel Road in southeast Pettis County.
Dustin C. Arnold, 25, was allegedly involved in a disturbance Monday at the Goodwill Chapel Trailer Park, 26517 Goodwill Chapel Road. Arnold is alleged to have shot a subject in the abdomen and fled the scene, headed toward Highway M.
“Anytime that we get something like that, multiple deputies are en route, that’s a priority call,” Anders said. “The thing with that is the bullet went through a vehicle door, through two strong sheets of steel on the door and it slowed that bullet down. It hit a bystander, not one of the participants.”
Law enforcement was called out at 6:21 p.m. and soon arrived. Deputy John Cook made contact with the victim, who stated he was shot in the abdomen.
The injury amounted to a “red mark with abrasions on the left side of his abdomen,” Cook’s report stated. “There was no blood and the bullet did not penetrate the abdomen.”
“It appears there was some kind of a struggle for a weapon inside the car,” Anders explained. “A gun went off and it hit someone standing outside the car.”
The shooting occurred in a long driveway to the west of the victim’s residence and Arnold was identified as the shooter. The gun, a 9mm pistol, was disposed of by the shooter.
Anders posted information about the shooting on Facebook, along with photos of Arnold showing off his distinctive tattoos and his vehicle.
The Facebook post warned Arnold was to be considered armed and dangerous and those with information on his whereabouts were to contact Pettis County Joint Communications.
Anders received a tip leading to Arnold’s arrest within the hour.
“Update: He’s in custody,” Anders’ post read. “That’s gotta be a record for info coming in leading to an arrest.”
Anders on Wednesday thanked the public for the quick response leading to an arrest. Formal charges had been released by press time.
“Thank you to the citizens for helping us out with that,” Anders added.
