Sedalia police: No injuries reported after man shoots gun through hotel room door

SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Sedalia police arrested a Raytown man early Tuesday after he allegedly shot a gun several times in a hotel room, according to a press release from the Sedalia Police Department.

Richard Ballenger, 43, was charged later on Tuesday with drug possession, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree property damage. A warrant was issued and a $100,000 bond was set. A court date has not yet been scheduled.

The hotel was not named in the release or the probable cause statement. Police say officers responded a hotel in the 3600 block of West Broadway Boulevard for a welfare check. According to the probable cause statement, a staff member was told repeatedly by Ballenger that someone was trying to enter his room, though there was no one in the hallway.

The release states that officers tried to make contact with the man, he allegedly fire a gun from inside the room. He then allegedly fired three more rounds.

According to the probable cause statement, Ballenger shot through the hotel room door and it entered the room across the hallway.

Ballenger eventually left the room while still armed, but dropped the gun and surrendered to police, the statement says.

Police found four spent bullet casings, along with a baggy filled with methamphetamine, according to the statement. Ballenger allegedly told law enforcement that he used meth hours before shooting the gun.

No injuries were reported.