The Walmart shooting victim gave information to police today (June 11) that investigators say will turn their probe in a whole new direction.
Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis declined to say what that direction is.
The victim, a 39-year-old De Soto man, sustained injuries to a hand and to his jaw. He was shot inside a bathroom in the Festus Walmart, 650 S. Truman Blvd.
Store employees reported the incident about 11:45 a.m. June 10.
Lewis said the two suspects arrested at different nearby sites shortly after the shooting were released today pending application for warrants.
“We were not able to talk to the victim until 9 o’clock this morning,” Lewis said. “His condition has improved greatly. After we talked to him, it sent us in a whole other direction.”
He said officers continue to investigate the suspects involved, a 30-year-old Festus man and a 33-year-old De Soto man.
Lewis said he didn’t know when the department would turn in a report to the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
“We’re going to try to get this done as soon as we can,” he said.
Lewis said after store employees called police, law enforcement officers from Festus and Crystal City, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded rapidly.
After scanning security camera footage, officers arrested one suspect on foot on the Walmart parking lot and the other in a black Mercedes at the intersection of South Second and South Adams streets in Festus.
“All three came out of the bathroom – the two suspects first, then the victim about 30 to 45 seconds later,” he said. “The victim walked out on his own.”
Crystal City Police Chief Jeff McCreary said the victim was transported to Mercy Hospital Jefferson. The victim reportedly was taken by helicopter to Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur.