Boonville man possessing 53 guns arrested after shootout with deputy

UPDATE: Lt. Shayne Duryea of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office said the 53 guns found in Anderson’s car were all long guns. “They were hunting-style rifles and shotguns,” Duryea told ABC 17 News.

At this time it is unclear what motivated Anderson to collect the weapons.

“It’s certainly reasonable to believe that, whatever (Anderson) had in mind, it was unlawful,” Duryea said.

Anderson is a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to carry a firearm. He served five years in jail after he pleaded guilty to burglary and tampering with a motor vehicle in 2011.

In 2016, Anderson was charged with minor drug possession in Boonville. According to court documents, a Cooper County deputy found a small bottle of marijuana in Anderson’s possession, as well as 3,500 rounds of ammunition.

Anderson told the deputy the ammunition was a gift, and he knew he was not allowed to have it because of his criminal record. Anderson said he was on his way to pawn the bullets, according to court documents. The deputy seized all of the ammunition.

ORIGINAL: A Boonville man engaged a Christian County deputy in a shootout after trying to avoid a traffic stop. Once detained, 53 firearms and 5,000 rounds of ammo were found inside of the suspect’s vehicle.

The firearms and ammo matched the description of weapons that had been reported stolen by the Boone County Sheriff’s department. Boone County deputies have not confirmed if they are the same firearms, according to Detective Tom O’Sullivan,

Jason Roy Anderson, 33, of Boonville, Mo., was traveling northbound on US Highway 65 at 100 miles per hour.

When the deputy tried to stop Anderson, he initiated a chase. Around mile marker 33, Anderson got out of his vehicle and shot at the deputy, who returned fire.

After Anderson was taken into custody, the .22 caliber rifle that he used to shoot at the deputy was examined, and it was determined the rifle had a round jammed in the chamber.