Juvenile arrested after shooting in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — A juvenile was arrested after a shooting early Monday morning that left one person injured, police said.

Around 1:30 a.m. Aug. 11, officers responded to the 2800 block of Themis Street for a report of shots fired, Cape Girardeau Public Information Officer Bobby Newton says.

The victim told police he had been in a physical altercation with the juvenile suspect, who had a firearm. During the altercation, the victim retrieved a knife and stabbed the suspect. The suspect then left the residence, returned and shot the victim.

The firearm recovered from the suspect had been reported stolen, Newton said. He added that many stolen guns in the city are taken from unlocked vehicles.

“The vehicle is being left unlocked. Individuals leaving their firearms in the vehicles,” Newton said. “If you have a firearm in there, make sure you remove that at the end of the day and don’t leave it in there at any time.”

Police quickly located the juvenile suspect, took him into custody and recovered the firearm used in the incident. The firearm had been reported stolen from a nearby agency.

Both the victim and suspect were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Newton encourages parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities and peer groups.

The suspect’s name has not been released, and an offense charge is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.