Domestic dispute leads to shooting outside Poplar Bluff mental health facility

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A domestic dispute escalated Wednesday night in the parking lot of a mental-health facility in Poplar Bluff, where one man was shot and another arrested.

About 7:25 p.m., officers were sent to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Behavioral Health on North Westwood Boulevard, according to a report by patrolman Robert Reed.

"Upon arrival, I observed several people on the steps in front of the main entrance to the hospital," Reed said. "In the middle of the group, I observed a white male, later identified as Mitchell Dugger, bleeding profusely from the leg area."

A hospital security officer, Reed said, pointed out the alleged suspect, identified as Eddie Joseph Skorcz, 58, of the 900 block of County Road 608.

Reed said patrolman Joey Woodruff detained and handcuffed Skorcz, placing him in a patrol car.

As officers processed the scene and interviewed witnesses, Dugger, 52, was taken to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, where he was stabilized and flown to a Cape Girardeau hospital for further treatment.

Officers reported Dugger was awake and alert but in critical condition Thursday morning.

"This was not a random act," deputy chief Jeff Rolland said. "... An altercation ensued over a longstanding family problem, (and) it unfortunately escalated to a shooting outside a mental-health unit."

Rolland described family members as having been in turmoil over a breakup.

"Mitchell Dugger and Eddie Skorcz became involved in an altercation," Rolland said. "On this occasion, it escalated to the point Eddie Skorcz shot Mitchell Dugger."

Rolland said Dugger, who is related to Skorcz by marriage, was shot at least twice on his left side, in his leg and shoulder.

During the investigation, a hospital security officer reported he found an older man, later identified as John Dugger, lying on top of Skorcz, pinning his wrist to the ground, according to a report by detective Josh Stewart.

Skorcz reportedly was holding a handgun, identified as a .45-caliber Colt, Stewart said. The handgun, which reportedly contained six live rounds, was seized by officers.

Jacob Dugger and Jarred Skorcz, who are cousins, allegedly were fighting on the "upper steps," Capt. Donnie Trout said. "(Mitchell) Dugger and (Eddie) Skorcz were fighting on the parking lot level" near the steps.

John Dugger reported he turned his attention to Jacob Dugger and Jarred Skorcz, and "a brief time later, the three heard two gunshots," Stewart said.

The cousins reportedly stopped fighting and turned toward their fathers, Stewart said.

"Jacob advised as he turned around, he observed his grandfather (John Dugger) on top of Eddie, restraining him; Eddie had a handgun," Stewart said.

Jacob Dugger then "noticed his father lying on the ground and approached him to render aid," Stewart said.

He said John Dugger and Jarred Skorcz provided similar accounts.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.