Sturgeon standoff suspect was wanted for domestic assault, on probation at time of incident
STURGEON, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Sturgeon man who died after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement Tuesday was on probation and wanted for an assault earlier that day.
Boone County prosecutors filed charges against Damion A. Linder on Tuesday for second-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a weapon. Assistant prosecutor Mandi Roberson filed a notice on Wednesday to dismiss the case.
The assault charges prompted law enforcement to try and arrest Linder on Tuesday afternoon, kicking off a standoff at a trailer court in south Sturgeon. The Boone County Sheriff's Office said Linder was found dead in a trailer after numerous rounds of gunfire exchanged between Linder and law enforcement.
Linder was on probation at the time in Audrain County for felony child custody interference and concealing the child from investigators in July 2023. The Audrain County Sheriff's Office wrote in a probable cause statement that they found a child at Linder's house that had been taken from him through a court order. An investigator said Boone County judge Tracy Gonzalez found "reasonable grounds" to think that the child was in "imminent danger" at Linder's house in her order placing the child in foster care.
Linder pleaded guilty to the child custody crimes in September 2023. Judge Jason Lamb put Linder on a five-year term of probation after a plea agreement. Linder could have seen four years in prison had his probation been violated.
Court records show Linder pleaded guilty in 2019 to second-degree harassment. He completed his two-year term of probation in 2021.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating Linder's death, including whether the fatal shot was fired by authorities or self-inflicted.
