One Dead After Shooting
***UPDATE 3 P.M.***Police are calling Wednesday night’s fatal shooting a justified shooting. Just before 1 a.m., Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies were called to reports of a shooting in Auxvasse.When deputies arrived, they found 28-year-old Benjamin Harris with a single gunshot wound. Authorities say the shooter actually called deputies and they do not believe charges will be filed.Callaway County Prosecutor Chris Wilson would not speculate as to whether his office would file charges, but Sheriff Dennis Crane says the shooting was likely out of self-defense.Law enforcement and residents in the area says the incident began at an Auxvasse bar, where an argument escalated.”There was a verbal altercation that occurred earlier in the night in Auxvasse,” said Chief Deputy Darryl Maylee.Residents say the first altercation between the two men happened inside of the bar and then the second fatal altercation ended up at the shooter’s house. Harris was allegedly asked to leave the bar after a fistfight broke out.Authorities say Harris was armed with a nightstick and was waiting at the shooter’s home for the man to return. Deputies say a second fight then broke out at the home.Chief Deputy Maylee says a witness reported he was on his way to help break up the fight, but before the witness could arrive, Harris was shot dead.”The deceased was shot one time,” said Maylee. “At this point in the investigation, it appears that it was justifiable, in self-defense.”Maylee says the department has seen other instances of self-defense similar to this one. He also made it clear that all parties have been cooperative in this investigation.Prosecutor Wilson says it will likely be a few days before deputies finish the report. Once that is completed, the prosecutor’s office will review it and then decide whether to file charges.According to court documents, Harris has been charged with assault in the past. There have been no previous charges against the shooter.***ORIGINAL STORY***Callaway County deputies are working a death investigation in Auxvasse.Investigators say they were first called out to a shooting at 12:50 a.m. Thursday morning on South Main Street. The victim was pronounced dead on scene.Highway Patrol Troopers assisted deputies in interviewing witnesses and the suspect. The suspect was released after being interviewed.The investigation continues and we’ve learned the report will be sent to the Callaway County Prosecutor.
