Patrick Harris, 37, of St. Louis has been charged in connection with a late night robbery and shooting that put a Jefferson City man in the hospital.
By Colleen Hogan
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 5:20 p.m.
Read more: Local, Crime, Consumer Reports
JEFFERSON CITY -- Jefferson City Police have arrested and charged a St. Louis man for shooting a man he planned to rob.
Investigators said Patrick Harris, 37, was recently released from prison. Now, he has been charged with assault for shooting a man last night outside a Capitol Avenue law firm in Jefferson City.
Two men who work for law offices inside a stately building in the 600 block of Capitol Ave. were hosting an outdoor get together late Tuesday night but what started as a good time ended in bloodshed.
Five men were hanging out in carport alongside the building when Harris approached them, flashed a gun and ordered them inside.
Police say Harris then made the men lie down on the floor and began stealing their wallets, watches and cell phones. But Harris didn't get away easily. One of the victims, a 34 year old man, also had a gun, which he had a conceal and carry license for, and the two men started shooting at each other.
"We're not sure yet who fired the first shot, but they exchanged multiple shots,” said Capt. Michael Smith of the Jefferson City Police Department.
Harris dropped the stolen stuff and ran. Police spent the night searching the neighborhood for him but the wet weather made it hard.
"We attempted to pick up a blood trail from the building and because of the terrible weather last night; the rain and it was so dark, most of the evidence was lost,” said Smith.
At daybreak another blood trail led them to an upstairs apartment that Brenda Oakley was renting.
"The resident of this apartment had known he was in there and didn't tell us,” said Smith.
Police found Harris hiding in the laundry room with a bullet-wound on his left hand. He was taken to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment.
It turns out Harris had been staying with Oakley for several days. She's been charged with tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution.
Police said the 34-year-old shooting victim's wounds were not life-threatening. He underwent surgery and is recovering Wednesday night at University Hospital in Columbia.
Investigators hope to re-interview him Thursday about the incident.
