Dexter man arrested for allegedly shooting friend in back while drunk

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A night of drinking at a Dexter, Mo., bar ended with one man being taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound and his friend to jail.

Kevin Vaughn, 28, of Dexter, remained in the intensive care unit at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau Monday morning after being shot in the back at close range with a large-caliber handgun.

The man accused of shooting him, Nicholas Glenn Griffin, was expected to be moved from the Dexter City Jail to the Stoddard County Jail sometime Monday morning.

Griffin, 29, of Dexter, was charged Monday with felony second-degree assault and felony of armed criminal action by Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn.

After considering the complaint and probable cause filed with the court, Associate Circuit Judge Joe Satterfield issued a warrant for Griffin's arrest and set his bond at $50,000 cash.

The complaint alleges on or about Saturday Griffin "recklessly caused serious physical injury to Kevin Vaughn" and did so "by, with and through the use, aid and assistance of a dangerous instrument."

The charges against Griffin stem from an investigation by the Dexter Police Department into a shooting in the 100 block of North Locust Street.

About 6 p.m. Saturday, Vaughn, Griffin and Tina Huffer visited the Viking's Club, 22 N. Locust St., for alcoholic beverages, according to Detective Cory Mills' probable-cause affidavit.

"Kevin, Nicholas and Tina drank until around 1 a.m. the following morning (Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010)," Mills explained. "Kevin decided to drive Tina's car from the Viking's Club."

Mills said Huffer was in the front passenger seat, while Griffin was seated behind her.

"As they approached the railroad tracks at Locust and Main, Kevin handed Nicholas a loaded Springfield .40-caliber, semiautomatic pistol," Mills said. "Nicholas grabbed the pistol and accidentally discharged a round into the driver seat, striking Kevin in the left lower back."

Vaughn, according to Mills, drove to Missouri Southern Healthcare at Dexter for treatment.

Mills said Huffer helped Vaughn into the emergency room, while Griffin "left in Tina's car and drove to his residence ... "

Griffin, Mills said, was found by officers passed out inside the vehicle and was taken into custody.

A Springfield .40-caliber pistol also was found in the vehicle, Mills said.

As Vaughn, who was in critical condition, was taken to the Cape Girardeau hospital for further treatment, Griffin was taken to the police department for questioning, Mills said.

After being told of his rights, Mills said, Griffin agreed to speak with officers.

"Nicholas admitted to discharging the pistol inside the vehicle," Mills said. "Nicholas further admitted he was intoxicated at the time of the shooting, but was adamant the shooting was accidental."

Huffer also was taken into custody for investigative purposes, Mills said.

Pertinent address:

22 N. Locust St., Dexter, MO