Bates County Sheriff's Office Press Release

On March 2, 2014, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office dispatched a deputy to a residence off county road 11002, south of Merwin, in regards to a theft of trees.  The Deputy met the reporting party at the residence and accompanied the reporting party to an area on his farm.  The deputy and the reporting party had to walk a distance to the location of the theft in the woods on the property.  The Deputy processed the area and took photos of the theft.

As the deputy and the reporting party walked from the wooded area into the clearing, they heard a gunshot and could hear the bullet whiz by them.  The Deputy and reporting party then took cover at the reporting party’s truck.  Both were able to exit the field to a safe location.   The gunshot came from approximately 100 yards from where the two were standing.

A call from the Deputy went out asking for assistance.   Deputies and the Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to attempt to set up a perimeter on the property.  Because the property large and continued over into Kansas, Kansas Law Enforcement was requested to assist.  Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Miami County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol responded to assist.     A request from the Bates County Sheriff’s Office to the Missouri State Highway Patrol for assistance with an airplane was granted.

Shortly after the perimeter on the property was established, the Missouri State Highway Patrol airplane arrived and searched the area for anyone within the perimeter or just outside the perimeter.  After the aerial search was conducted,   a search team was sent into the wooded area on foot to confirm no one was still in the area.

After the search team cleared the wooded area a decision was made to call off the search as it was likely the suspect was able to get out of the area during the response by the backup units.

The Bates County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to come forward by calling a detective at 660-679-3232.