A California man was arrested and charged Wednesday in connection with the death of a Calvary Lutheran High School student from Tipton.
Travis Clark, 22, was arrested by the Missouri Highway Patrol and later charged by the Moniteau County Prosecutor's office with second-degree murder, first-degree involuntary manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the death Robert Ashbaugh, 18.
On May 28, at the request of Tipton Police Chief Edward Wiecken, members of the Troop F Division of Drug and Crime Control began conducting an investigation into the death of Ashbaugh.
Patrol reports show officers responded to 420 Railroad Ave. in Tipton in reference to a person suffering a gunshot wound. The victim was identified as Ashbaugh, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation indicated Ashbaugh was shot by an acquaintance, Clark, during horseplay involving a firearm.
No other people were injured in the shooting.
"He was well liked by students and faculty," said Calvary Lutheran Executive Director John Engelbrecht. "He was involved in cross country and track and qualified for the state cross country meet, and we were looking forward to him participating this year."
Engelbrecht said the funeral was held last Sunday at the high school and most of the students came.
The Robert Ashbaugh Scholarship Fund has been set up and more information on that is available through the Bowlin Cantriel Funeral Home in California.
"It's one of those things you hope you never have to experience, but Calvary is a tight family and we support our family," Engelbrecht said.