Cape Girardeau County shooting victim still recovering at local hospital

A Cape Girardeau County mother shot Monday after a struggle to take a gun away from her suicidal son was still recuperating an an area hospital Tuesday, according to county authorities.

Lt. David James of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department continued Tuesday to call the shooting that severely injured Lana Ussery, 64, accidental.

Her son, 45-year-old Charlie Ussery, was the shooter, James said Monday, and Lana Ussery was shot in the torso when she attempted to take the pistol from him. Once she's closer to being released from the hospital, the department hopes to verify testimony taken from family members with Lana Ussery that the shooting was accidental.

"We're just going to give her a couple days before we bother her," James said.

Although Cape Girardeau County chief deputy coroner Jerry Goin did not start an autopsy on Charlie Ussery on Monday, he did perform toxicology tests, he said. It'll most likely be weeks before his office receives the results of those tests.

"We're finished until we get the results back," Goin said.

A witness arrested at the scene, said to have fired shots into the air outside the Old Route V residence to get someone's attention, was released from the county jail late Monday. The witness may be charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, but the charge is pending with the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said they'll review the facts of the case again when the sheriff's department completes their investigation.

"We had him released until we feel like we know the facts better," Swingle said.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

3809 Old Route V, Cape Girardeau, MO