Randolph County standoff suspect now in state custody
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The suspect in a 20-hour standoff that began Monday near Moberly is now in the custody of state prison officials.
Stephen Thorp was arrested around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday after a nearly 20-hour standoff on a county road near Moberly.
Randolph County Prosecutor Stephanie Luntsford said she is uncertain if or when charges will be filed against Thorp. She says the county is investigating firearm charges.
During the standoff, Randolph County Sheriff Aaron Wilson said Thorp had a low-caliber handgun and fired multiple rounds inside the home. He also shot down a drone law enforcement sent into the home.
Police went to the home on County Road 2360 due to Thorp being wanted on a parole warrant for second-degree murder.
"Mr. Thorp has been in and out of custody for the better part of the last ten years," Wilson said.
On July 31, 1999, Stephen Thorp was convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action for shooting a man two times in the back of the head with a shotgun.
He was sentenced to 37 years in prison, serving 17 of those years from 1998 to 2015.
Thorp was also recently in custody in February on traffic crimes out of Callaway County.
Wilson confirmed Thorp has a military background.
ABC 17 News did reach out to the parole office regarding Thorp but was told that they are unable to comment on the case at this time.
