West Plains, MO. – A West Plains man was arrested for shooting another individual and damaging a vehicle on Saturday. Brandon Childress was arrested on January 21st and is being charged with 2nd degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, and 1st degree property damage, all felonies.
According to the probable cause statement, Lt. Torey Thompson of the Howell County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation Saturday on Childress after receiving information from a woman that the accused shot a man in the leg and damaged her car. An inspection of the vehicle revealed portions of a brick that was reported to be thrown at the vehicle. An interview of the man revealed that Childress had shot him in the leg during an incident near a residence on State Route KK earlier in the day.
According to statements collected by Lt. Thompson from a witness that lived at the residence, the man, woman, and Childress were at the residence when Childress walked away from the home. The man and woman drove her vehicle to catch up to Childress and the man exited the vehicle to talk with him. The woman stated this is when Childress produced a hand gun, shooting the man in the leg and firing two more shots in an unknown direction. While at the home, Lt. Thompson collected evidence from a brick that matched the brick portions collected from the vehicle. The woman also showed the officer text messages that appear to be sent by Childress, where he threatened to damage her car and kill her, her family and children, and the man who was shot.
An interview of Childress was attempted following his arrest. During the interview, Childress became agitated and asked for an attorney, ending the interview. The accused has a long criminal history in Howell County, including felony convictions that disallow him from possessing a firearm.
Brandon James Childress is being held in the Howell County Jail with $250,000 bond. On Monday, Childress pled not guilty to the charges.
