A Steedman farmer who had been the victim of theft several times could face charges after firing on intruders on his property Tuesday morning. Two of the intruders were arrested on charges of stealing and trespassing, while a third is still at large.
According to a press release, the Callaway County Sheriff's Office received a call from Carl Norris of Steedman reporting he had caught three individuals on his property attempting to steal items, and that he had two of them detained at gun point.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies learned that Norris had fired shots into the suspects' vehicle, although no one had been injured. Also in the vehicle at the time was an infant - the child of one of the suspects, Jacqueline Kemp.
"We had been getting several calls from Mr. Norris recently for stealing. A vehicle showed up on his property today with three occupants and an infant," explained Sheriff Dennis Crane. "(Norris) shot at the vehicle and struck it a couple times."
Taken into custody at the scene were Kemp, 21, of Mokane, and John Atterberry, 38, of Paradise Lake in Portland. Both were arrested on charges of misdemeanor stealing and first-degree trespassing. The third suspect had already fled the scene before deputies arrived, and a search for that individual was unsuccessful.
Kemp and Atterberry were taken to the sheriff's office where they were interviewed and processed through the Callaway County Jail. Kemp was released on summons. Atterberry was released after posting $1,000 bond.
Norris also was interviewed at the sheriff's office in regards to the shooting. Additional charges could possibly be filed concerning the shooting.
"A lot of people are under the impression you can shoot to protect your property under the castle law," Crane said. "You still have to be able to articulate that you had fear for your own safety."
The investigation into the incident continues, as does the search for the third suspect.