Cape Girardeau man seriously injured in afternoon shooting

An apparent assault in an alleyway Monday afternoon in Cape Girardeau sent a man to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds.

Police were called to the backyard of a house at 533 S. Middle St. around 3 p.m., where the victim was found and then taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Officers on scene declined to give information, citing an ongoing investigation, but witnesses told police they heard three or four shots fired.

Members of the Cape Girardeau Police Department investigate a neighboring house following a shooting at 533 South Middle Street, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014. One victim was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. (Laura Simon)

Darin Hickey, spokesman for the Cape Girardeau Police Department, said officers believe the victim may have been on foot in the area when the shooting occurred. No details on any suspects or suspect vehicles were released, but Hickey said officers were sharing descriptions of vehicles that were in the area at the time of the shooting.

No suspects are in custody.

At the scene, officers with guns drawn searched a house next door after a teenager coming home from school reported a door had possibly been kicked in on a lower level. No suspicious activity was found there. A silver minivan was included in the taped off area where officers gathered evidence, including what appeared to be bullet casings.

The area behind the house where the shooting happened was in plain view of Highway 74. Police remained on scene at 4 p.m., and Hickey said more information would be released as it becomes available.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address:

533 S. Middle St., Cape Girardeau, MO