Authorities uncover two sides to crime story

POPLARBLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities are looking for two men in connection with an alleged drug deal gone wrong early Saturday morning that resulted in shots being fired and one man injured.

According to Poplar Bluff patrolman Kenny Carpenter, he was dispatched at about 12:20 a.m. to a residence in the 1300 block of Mill Street in reference to shots being fired.

Upon his arrival, Mark D. Hicks Jr., 17, was being attended to by the other subjects and was bleeding from the back of a head. Hicks was reportedly treated on the scene by emergency medical services personnel, but refused transport to the hospital.

Initial witness accounts indicated the incident was a home invasion, but further investigation revealed the physical altercation was the result of a dispute over drugs, said detective Gary Pride.

"The initial account of events was slightly misleading by the victims and did not match up to the forensic evidence," Pride said. "When confronted, the truth came out as to what had actually transpired."