West Plains, MO. – A Tecumseh man has a warrant for his arrest for burglary charges and allegedly threatening a family with a rifle.
According to the probable cause statement, Howell County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call on September 25, 2023, just before 4 a.m. on County Road 6350. The female victim told law enforcement they had been drinking with the suspect, Joshua Allen Barnes, when the suspect became belligerent and grabbed a rifle. Barnes then went outside, followed by the woman, and threatened to kill everyone there. When the victim returned to the house, she heard a gunshot outside and began to record Barnes yelling at her. At the deputy’s suggestion, the woman took her juvenile son, and some clothes, and a witness took them from the residence for the night, locking the home’s doors.
When the family returned later that day, they saw Barnes truck had been moved and they went to a local store to call for police. Deputies arrived at the home and were unable to find Barnes. The deputies did find a muddy rifle, Barnes’ cell phone plugged into a charger, and Barnes’ shoes on the floor. The victim stated the door was kicked in and damaged beyond repair.
Barnes is a convicted felon from a similar incident in northern Arkansas in 2018 and was not to be in possession of a firearm.
A warrant was issued on Thursday, Sept. 28th, for Joshua Allen Barnes on the charges of 2nd-degree burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon – dangerous felon, unlawful use of a weapon – exhibiting, and armed criminal action.
