3 people arrested after Mississippi County deputy shot with airgun

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Three East Prairie, Mo., residents are in custody after a Mississippi County deputy was shot while making a traffic stop.

According to Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore, the incident took place early Saturday, when deputies Marc Tragesser and Mike Borders initiated a traffic stop on Miller Street in East Prairie, Mo.

As Tragesser approached the vehicle, he noticed the driver, Laura Chimienti, 29, on her phone. Officers suspected she was attempting to warn Alex E. Rendon, 25, a wanted felon who apparently was nearby.

"As Deputy Tragesser placed Chimienti under arrest, he heard a pop, felt a very sharp pain in his abdomen and realized he had been shot," Moore said in a news release. "Then, as he ducked for cover, Deputy Tragesser saw Alex Rendon run into a neighboring house with what looked like an assault rifle in his hand."

After Tragesser determined the bullet had not pierced his skin, assistance was requested from East Prairie police officers. The officers then surrounded the house.

Borders gained entry through a partially opened back door; Tragesser entered through the front door. The deputies then secured the weapon, which was identified as a Crosman M-417 air rifle, and found Alex Rendon and Clarissa Rendon, 32, inside the residence.

Clarissa Rendon fought with deputies as they attempted to take Alex Rendon into custody, prompting deputies to arrest her. As deputies took Alex Rendon into custody, Moore said, Rendon threatened next time he would kill Tragesser.

After his arrest, Alex Rendon admitted to jail staff that he had fired the gun, Moore said.

Also found in the house were two glass pipes that contained residue from meth and marijuana use.

Alex Rendon is charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, second-degree assault, violating an order of protection and nonsupport. His bond is set at $101,116.

Clarissa Rendon is charged with hindering prosecution and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond was set at $25,000.

Laura Chimienti is charged with hindering prosecution and possession of a controlled substance. She was released after posting a $25,000 bond.

As of press time, Alex Rendon and Clarissa Rendon remained in custody at the Mississippi County Detention Center.

"This was a routine traffic stop," Tragesser said. "There was no reason, period, for him to shoot me."