Man accused of shooting into hospital pleads guilty to two charges

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man accused of shooting into an Audrain County hospital took a plea deal Tuesday.

Jeffrey Huntington, 57, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree property damage, Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger said in an email. He was placed on probation for five years along with a suspended sentence. He will spend 10 days in the Audrain County and has to complete 100 hours of community service within a year, Shellabarger stated.

Huntington must also comply with alcohol testing, treatment and aftercare, and not possess or consume alcohol while on probation, Shellabarger stated.

He was initially charged with unlawful use of a weapon, armed-criminal action and first-degree property damage.

Huntington is accused of shooting out windows near the emergency room entrance at Audrain Community Hospital in March 2022. Huntington allegedly admitted to officers at the time that he shot out the windows and planned on leaving Missouri.

Huntington was driving near Iowa when he agreed to return and turn himself in to police, according to previous reporting. Police said Huntington admitted to the shooting and said that Noble Health Corporation, the former operator of the hospital, hadn't paid his wife, who works at the hospital, in several weeks.

The healthcare provider suspended operations at Audrain Community Hospital and Callaway Community Hospital in March 2022.

Huntington allegedly told police at the time that he knew the hospital was empty and said he was drinking before shooting the gun.