Autopsy results confirm North Lilbourn shooter committed suicide

LILBOURN - An autopsy conducted Monday afternoon has determined a North Lilbourn resident apparently killed himself after wounding another man Sunday evening, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported.

New Madrid County Coroner Jim McSpadden reported Lonnie B. Moore, 56, died from a small-caliber gunshot wound to the head. Moore was a city councilman in North Lilbourn.

According to New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens, his officers were called to 11 Providence St. in North Lilbourn at 8:11 p.m. Sunday. Officers initially believed a man involved in a shooting had barricaded himself in the home, Stevens said.

"The officers could see a victim laying in a doorway and could tell he was still alive," Stevens said.

At that point, officers decided to enter the house, where they found Moore. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Leonard Thomas, 56, a resident of 1 Route D in North Lilbourn and the town's mayor, was treated at the scene for a single gunshot wound to the head by emergency personnel then taken by air ambulance to the Elvis Presley Trauma Center in Memphis, Tenn. He remained listed in critical condition, McSpadden said.

Stevens identified Moore, who resided at the Providence Street residence, as the assailant. A gun was recovered at the scene.

"Apparently witnesses said they had been arguing all day and it escalated," the sheriff said.

The Daily American Republic contributed to this report.