Homeowner shoots man after police say he trespassed in Poplar Bluff yard

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (KBSI) – A Poplar Bluff man was shot in the leg after being suspected of trespassing in another homeowner’s back yard.

The homeowner reported that he heard noises from in the house, initially believing it was the television before realizing someone was rummaging through his belongings in his back yard.

The homeowner then confronted the suspected trespasser.

“He had either kicked the back door or the house a few times,” said Poplar Bluff Police Lt. Josh Stewart. “He was where he could observe exactly which but he instructed him to stop then he approached him aggressively and he fired.”

Police say the homeowner shot the person one time. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Lt. Stewart says there was no need for criminal charges associated with the shooting due to the homeowner acting in self defense.