Gun-firing argument leads to bigger charges

After arguing with several people at a house, Tyrance Dewayne Hill, 40, of Cape Girardeau fired a bullet from his handgun into the building, police say.

The incident later led to his arrest on gun and drug charges.

Hill was arrested Sunday by Cape Girardeau police and charged with unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Hill’s bond was set at $75,000 cash or surety.

About 3:30 p.m., police went to a house in the 1700 block of New Madrid Street. Several witnesses said a man nicknamed “Tec” fired one bullet from a silver-and-black handgun and drove away in a Dodge pickup truck, according to a probable-cause statement filed by patrolman Brian Eggers.

“Tec” had gotten into an argument with several people at the house, Eggers wrote. Officers found a bullet hole in the front of the residence and recovered the bullet.

Based in part on witness statements, Eggers found Hill, whom he knew to be “Tec,” about 6:30 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Drury Suites, according to the statement. Hill was leaving a blue Chevrolet car before Eggers detained him in handcuffs, Eggers wrote.

In the vehicle, Eggers found a pipe in the interior door handle, a black-and-silver .40-caliber handgun matching witness descriptions, three plastic bags containing 86 grams of methamphetamine, one bag of crack cocaine and an orange bottle containing seven hydrocodone pills.

Hill’s criminal history includes felony convictions. One was in November 2007 for felony possession of a controlled substance, according to the statement. When talking with SEMO Drug Task Force officer Mike Alford, Hill confessed to shooting at the house in New Madrid Street.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 1700 block of New Madrid Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo