Off-duty Fulton police officer shoots man during fight

A man was recovering Friday after an off-duty Fulton police officer shot him during a fight.

It happened around 10:00 Thursday night in the 9000 block of County Road 445 near Mokane.

The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report shooting. Once on scene, deputies discovereda 29-year-old man from the Mokane area had been shot.

Deputies say an investigation revealed the victimwas operating an ATV on the county roadway in a reckless manner. The ATV driver apparently nearly struck another vehicle, causing the vehicle driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

That vehicle was driven by an off-duty Fulton Police Department officer.

Soon after the collision, deputies say the ATV driver stopped and confronted the off-duty officer. The ATV driver then allegedly started physically assaulting the officer. Deputies say during the fight, the officer fired his gun, striking the ATV driver.

Callaway County EMS took the ATV driver to University Hospital in Columbia with non-life threatening injuries.

Deputies say the case will now be referred to the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney for the requested charges of felony DWI, assault on a law enforcement officer and other traffic offenses for the ATV driver.

As with any officer involved shooting, deputies say the complete investigation will be referred to the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney to review.

Deputies say they will not release the identities of the ATV driver and the Fulton Police Department officer until formal charges are filed.

The Missouri State Highway patrol assisted with the initial investigation on COunty Road 445.

The Sheriff’s Office investigation is ongoing.