Hunter Allen Kirkpatrick, 19, of House Springs has been charged in connection with the shooting of a 21-year-old Dittmer man at Cedar Hill Park, 6801 Cedar Hill Road. Kirkpatrick allegedly shot the man while Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies were nearby investigating an earlier incident at the park, police reported.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Kirkpatrick on June 21, with first-degree assault, a class A felony punishable by 10 to 30 years or life in prison; two counts of armed criminal action, unclassified felonies punishable by three to 15 years in prison; and unlawful use of a weapon, a class E felony that carries a penalty of up to four years in prison, court records show.
As of Monday morning, Kirkpatrick was being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The injured man was taken to an area hospital and as of Monday, was in stable condition, Sheriff Dave Marshak said.
“I’m certain the victim is alive today because of the quick actions by deputies at the scene who jumped in to provide first aid until EMS crews from Big River Ambulance District arrived,” Marshak said in a statement announcing the charges. “I’d like to commend the deputies, EMS, nurses and surgeons who saved this young man’s life.”
Deputies had been called to the park at about 8:10 p.m. June 20 because of a fight near the Cedar Hill River Access to the Big River, the case’s probable-cause statement said.
Marshak said there were approximately 10 people in the parking lot near the Cedar Hill River Access when deputies arrived, and a victim wanted to press charges against two people.
He said the person who wanted to press charges allegedly appeared to be intoxicated and would not provide a written statement. He said two potential suspects were identified, but no one had been arrested as of Monday in connection with the fight.
Marshak said approximately half of the people in the parking lot when deputies arrived left while they talked to the possible victim. He said deputies were talking to one or two people when Kirkpatrick approached a woman and man in the parking lot.
Marshak said Kirkpatrick and the man started arguing, and one of the deputies told the two to stop arguing.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, Kirkpatrick removed a .40-caliber Glock 23 from his waistband and shot the victim multiple times. Kirkpatrick was arrested, and deputies performed lifesaving efforts on the man who was shot until Big River Ambulance District personnel arrived and transported him to an area hospital, the report said.
Kirkpatrick allegedly told investigators he believed he fired three shots from the gun, the probable-cause statement said.