6-year-old the focus in fatal shooting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A 6-year-old boy is the focus of an investigation into the shooting death of his grandfather, Cole County Sheriff John Hemeyer said Saturday.

The victim, whose name was not released, died Friday after he was shot once with a rifle.

Hemeyer said the boy had a history of serious behavioral problems and had been admitted several times to mental health facilities after attacks on family members. He had been released from a mental health center on Monday.

The boy went to a neighbor's home to report his grandfather's death, Hemeyer said.

A .22-caliber rifle that the boy brought out the house is believed to be the weapon used to shoot the victim, the sheriff said.

Family members told the sheriff that they thought the rifle had been disposed of years ago and they did not know how the boy came into possession of the rifle and ammunition.

The boy is now in the custody of the 19th Judicial Circuit. Any further action in the case will be handled by juvenile court.