Authorities took a man into custody just before 9 a.m. this morning (May 19) in a shooting death and the shooting of another man that occurred yesterday afternoon in Dittmer, reports Lt. Gary Higginbotham of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He also is deputy commander with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis.
Kenneth E. Mann, 56, Dittmer, was shot in the lower chest and stomach at his neighbor’s home in the 9900 block of Jones Creek Road, Higginbotham said.
Mann was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
The neighbor, 49, was shot in the thigh and was also taken to a hospital, Higginbotham said. He said he did not know the man’s condition this morning.
The Major Case Squad reported that the homeowner told authorities the suspect came to his home to ask about a vehicle that he claimed had been stolen and demanded its return.
The homeowner told investigators he didn’t know anything about the vehicle.
“A verbal argument ensued which escalated to the point of a physical confrontation between the parties,” the report said. “At some point the unidentified male subject (the suspect) brandished a handgun before firing the weapon at the victims.”
The suspect fled before the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene at 3:39 p.m. Wednesday, Higginbotham said.
He said this morning investigators don’t know for sure whether the victims and the suspect knew each other.
“It’s unclear,” Higginbotham said. “There’s no evidence that they did, but the investigation is ongoing.”
The Major Case Squad, through interviews and other evidence, located the suspect at a home in Franklin County this morning, and took him into custody without incident, Higginbotham said. At 10 a.m., he said the suspect was being transported to the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro.
Higginbotham said charges would be sought through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The report said all three men are white. Higginbotham would not identify the second victim this morning, and the identity of the suspect won’t be released unless he is charged.
Anyone with information concerning this case is urged to contact law enforcement at 636-797-5515.