Dent County deputy sheriff dies of injuries after shootout

The Associated Press

SALEM, Mo. (AP) -- A south-central Missouri deputy sheriff died early Tuesday following a shootout that occurred as officers were investigating an earlier shooting in which two other people were killed.

Sharon Joann Barnes, 48, chief deputy for the Dent County sheriff's department, died at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, hospital spokesman David Downs said. The nature of her injuries was not disclosed.

Earl Mitchell Forrest II, 53, of Salem, was charged on Tuesday with three counts of first-degree murder, first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, four counts of armed criminal action and possession of a controlled substance.

Dent County Sheriff Bob Wofford was also injured in the shootout, but his injuries were minor. He was treated at a hospital and released.

The original shootings happened at midday Monday at a home west of Salem, about 130 miles southwest of St. Louis.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Gene DeSalme identified the victims as Harriet S. Smith, 51, of Salem, and Michael Ray Wells, 41, of Licking. DeSalme said the shooting of Smith appeared to be drug-related, but he said specific details were not yet available.

Wells was apparently in the wrong place at the wrong time, DeSalme said.

"Michael Wells, we think, was just returning a videotape" he had borrowed from Smith, DeSalme said.

After the shootings, witnesses saw the suspect leave. Barnes, Wofford and Salem city officers went to Forrest's home to question him.

As the law enforcers arrived, "shots were fired from inside," DeSalme said. Wofford and Barnes were hit, and the Salem officers returned fire, the patrol spokesman said. Forrest and a friend, Angelia Gamblin, 26, of Salem, were both inside the home. Both were hit by bullets.

Forrest and Gamblin were flown to hospitals in St. Louis. Gamblin was in stable condition at Saint Louis University Hospital. Forrest was being treated at an undisclosed hospital. Neither Gamblin's nor Forrest's injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

Investigators do not believe Gamblin was involved in the earlier shootings, DeSalme said.

Gamblin told authorities that Forrest fired two rounds from a .22-caliber pistol as Barnes approached the door. Both rounds apparently struck Barnes. A shootout then ensued, police said.

Inside Forrest's home, police found a large quantity of methamphetamine, according to a document provided by the prosecutor's office. Police said the drugs had been taken by Forrest from Smith's home.

Barnes had been with the department since 1993. Before that, she was a school bus driver and firefighter in Salem.

"She really enjoyed law enforcement," said prosecutor James P. Gray. "I think she would have done it for free. She could go out and talk to people. She'd develop a raport and she could get people to surrender."