West Plains – On June 27th, 2021, Deputy Seth Smith with the Howell County Sheriff was contacted by the West Plains Police Department regarding a 17 year old male with a gunshot wound at Ozarks Healthcare. Deputy Smith responded to 5865 County Road 1580 to investigate the shooting incident. After receiving statements from the victim and several witnesses at the residence, it was learned that a male subject identified as NATHANIEL MEJIA, 19 of West Plains, had fired multiple shots toward the residence from a moving vehicle, striking the victim in the hand.
On June 28th, the Howell County Sheriff received an anonymous tip that MEJIA was the passenger in a silver car in the West Plains area. Deputy Smith later located the vehicle and MEJIA and conducted an investigative traffic stop at Casey’s General Store on Gibson Avenue in West Plains. After further investigation, the firearm that is suspected to have been used in the shooting incident was seized from the vehicle. MEJIA was placed under arrest and transported to the Howell County Jail, where he has formally been charged and posted bond on charges of Assault 2nd degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Armed Criminal Action.
