Gerald Wade Woodruff
Gerald Wade Woodruff, 45, of Festus has been charged with three felonies for allegedly attacking and then shooting at another man who lives in his neighborhood on Scenic Lane. The alleged victim was not struck by the shots fired, Police Chief Tim Lewis said.
He said Festus Police got a call at about 8 p.m. April 1 about the shooting.
“Our officers got a call of shots fired,” Lewis said. “Officers spoke to the victim, a 32-year-old Festus man, who said he was assaulted – beaten – by (Woodruff). The victim escaped, and as he ran the suspect said he was going to shoot him.”
The alleged victim said Woodruff allegedly fired shots at him.
“There were two or three shots fired from a handgun,” Lewis said. “Witnesses corroborated the victim’s story.”
Lewis said Joachim-Plattin Ambulance took the victim to Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City for treatment of injuries he sustained during the alleged assault.
He said officers arrested Woodruff at the scene on April 1 without further incident.
According to court records, Woodruff was charged April 2 with unlawful use of a weapon while intoxicated and third-degree assault, both class E felonies punishable by up to four years in prison; armed criminal action, an unclassified felony punishable by at least three years in prison; and property damage, a class B misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to six months in jail.
Woodruff was being held today, April 4, at the Jefferson County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.