Murder charge filed in Camden County killing during burglary

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Camden County prosecutors have filed a murder charge against an alleged burglar whose partner was shot in the act on Oct. 2.

Austin S. Rippe, 23, of Camdenton, was picked up by Camden County detectives Monday night in Springfield, Missouri, the Camden County Sheriff's Office says in a news release. Detectives say they determined through the investigation of the deadly shooting on North Highway 7 that Rippe was there the night Derek Wayman was shot dead during an alleged burglary.

Rippe was charged Monday with second-degree murder and second-degree burglary.

A probable cause statement says the shooter, who called police to report the incident, was looking after a neighbor's property -- an office with an equipment yard -- when he saw a dark-colored vehicle. The man told investigators that he fired a warning shot in the area and then saw the burglars running toward him and fired at them, the statement says.

Investigators believe that Rippe was able to get away.

Investigators found a vehicle's cargo door open and tools strewn along the ground when they went into the equipment yard, the statement says. The property owner told detectives that several items had been taken.

Detectives tied Rippe to the scene through a purchase at a convenience store where surveillance video showed the car used in the burglary, according to the statement. He was found in Springfield two days later with items taken from the equipment yard, the statement says.

Rippe was jailed Wednesday in Camden County on a $250,000 bond.