Toshun L. Prater, 20, of Festus has been charged with two felonies for reportedly shooting a man on April 22 in Shropshire Park in Festus. The alleged victim, a 43-year-old De Soto man, was shot multiple times and was still in critical condition today, May 17, Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis said.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Prater on April 28 with first-degree assault, a class A felony punishable by 10 to 30 years or life in prison, and armed criminal action, an unclassified felony punishable by a minimum of three years in prison.
He was taken into custody Monday evening, May 16, when he showed up at the Festus Police Station at about 7 p.m. and surrendered himself to authorities, Lewis said.
Prater was being held today in the Jefferson County Jail on no bond.
Authorities had been seeking the suspect since the day of the shooting, Lewis said.
According to the probable-cause statement in the case, Festus Police got a call at about 8:05 p.m. April 22 about a shooting at the park, 116 S. Fourth St. The victim told the officers he knew the suspect and gave them Prater’s name.
“He shot me three times,” the victim said.
After the shooting, Prater reportedly walked to a vehicle and drove away, according to the statement.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the park to help identify Prater as the suspect.