Search continues for Mid-Missouri gunman

3 rural Holts Summit residents killed, 1 hurt

A crime scene investigations van leaves the scene of a homicide at 3682 County Road 488 near Holts Summit Wednesday morning. The property is owned by Jeff and Gina Werdehausen. Jeff was killed there Tuesday night, and his wife was taken to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment of injuries.
A crime scene investigations van leaves the scene of a homicide at 3682 County Road 488 near Holts Summit Wednesday morning. The property is owned by Jeff and Gina Werdehausen. Jeff was killed there Tuesday night, and his wife was taken to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment of injuries.

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Dan Limke

Niki Dixon (left) and Ashley Terry enjoy music and dancing during Juanita's First Friday event held May 4.

UPDATE: See newer information in Manhunt ends; Joshua Maylee caught.

HOLTS SUMMIT, Mo. -- The manhunt continued overnight for a Mid-Missouri gunman believed to have targeted and killed three Callaway County residents and wounded a fourth.

The Mid-Missouri Major Case Squad searched for Joshua William Maylee, 23, in connection with two separate shootings Wednesday morning. Maylee is described as a white male, about 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, blue eyes and balding.

Officials identified the dead as Eugene Allen Pinet, 48, and his wife, Jackie Lee Pinet, 57, and Jeff J. Werdehausen, 46, all of rural Holts Summit.

Werdehausen's wife, Gina Werdehausen, 41, also was shot, but her injuries are not believed to be life threatening; she was listed in stable condition Wednesday night.

Sgt. Robert Bruchsaler, a Cole County sheriff's deputy and spokesman for the Major Case Squad, said the Werdehausens were found around 1:40 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities have spoken to her about the shootings.

Tasha Burnell and Marquieta Harris pose for a photographer during Juanita's First Friday event.
Tasha Burnell and Marquieta Harris pose for a photographer during Juanita's First Friday event.

The Associated Press reported Werdehausen's niece, Shanna Wyatt, 34, said Gina was shot in the neck after she heard dogs barking at her home and went outside to investigate. Wyatt said the suspect then went inside and shot Jeff.

"It's completely unexpected," said Wyatt, also of Holts Summit. "It's a very small community. He (Jeff) has a lot of friends."

The Pinets were found around 10:30 a.m., Bruchsaler said.

Bruchsaler said the shootings are believed to be targeted, not random.

"We have followed over 60 leads in this case," Bruchsaler said late Wednesday night. "We've talked with friends, business associates and family members who may have connections to Mr. Maylee, and all have been cooperative."

Law officers say Maylee may be driving a four-door silver Pontiac Bonneville. Earlier, authorities said they were searching for a black truck but said later that it had been recovered and was not Maylee's vehicle.

Thursday's edition of the News Tribune and Fulton Sun newspapers have additional background coverage on the events, victims and suspect.

Earlier coverage, posted on Wednesday:

UPDATE: Authorities have identified additional victims in the multiple homicide investigation in Callaway County.

Fatally shot were Eugene Allen Pinet, 48, and Jackie Lee Pinet, 57. Released earlier was the name of Jeffrey J. Werdehausen, 46, Holts Summit, as a fatal victim. (See additional below)

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Glossary performing at White Water Tavern.

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The Mid-Missouri Major Case Squad continues to seek information about, and the location of, Joshua William Maylee in connection with the homicide investigation in Callaway County.

Maylee is described as a white male, approximately 6-feet tall, 180 pounds, blue eyes and balding. He is approximately 23 years old.

Authorities say he is a person of interest in what authorities now say are multiple homicides. Any person who has had negative contact in the past with Maylee needs to contact Sgt. Robert Bruschsaler at the case squad at 573-592-2442 regarding their safety.

Maylee may be driving a brown or black Dodge truck [Editor's note: the truck was later ruled out], or a silver 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SE four door, Missouri registration SC1S5S. He is possibly located in Cole, Callaway or Morgan counties.

University Hospital in Columbia, where an injured victim was taken, issued the following statement this afternoon: "We have reason to believe a violent individual may seek access to University Hospital. For this reason, we locked down University Hospital at noon today. We took this action to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and staff. Patients, visitors and staff will have access to the hospital but will be screened as they enter and leave."

Initial story:

The Mid-Missouri Major Case Squad is being activated to investigate an apparent homicide in the Holts Summit area.

Officers of the Callaway County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are on the scene of the incident this morning. The case squad is set to meet at the sheriff's office to begin its investigation.

The fatal victim is identified as Jeffrey J. Werdehausen, 46, Holts Summit. A second victim of the incident was injured and transported to University Hospital in Columbia where she underwent surgery. She is identified as Gina M. Werdehausen, 41, the wife of the dead man. She is expected to recover from her injury, the sheriff's department said.