Investigations into shooting continue

Two police investigations are examining a weekend shooting by a Cape Girardeau police officer.

Jordan T. Modicue, 20, of Tamms, Ill., was shot four times early Sunday morning as police responded to reports of a fight outside the Copa, a North Main Street bar.

According to police, Modicue had an airgun, which resembles a handgun, and did not drop it when ordered to do so by the officers on the scene. The police officer who fired his gun has been placed on administrative leave, according to Sgt. Barry Hovis, Cape Girardeau police spokesman.

Cape Girardeau police chief Carl Kinnison asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol to make an independent review of the incident "for transparency reasons," Hovis said, though the city is also investigating.

"We don't see anything, at face value, that the officer did wrong, but we wanted to have the Highway Patrol investigate," Hovis said. "We believe the officer acted appropriately, with the information that he had. You are allowed to use lethal force if you believe the subject has a weapon at the time."

Sgt. Phil Gregory of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Sunday night he will continue interviewing witnesses today.

Gregory said he expects to turn a report over to Cape Girardeau Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle later this week. Swingle will determine what, if any, charges will be made in the case.

Hovis said Kinnison hopes to meet with the family "as soon as they are ready" to talk about the incident but that right now the family is staying close to a St. Louis hospital.

According to at least one family member, Modicue has undergone surgery. He is no longer listed as a patient at Saint Francis Medical Center; unconfirmed reports indicate he was transferred to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. A Barnes-Jewish Hospital spokeswoman could not confirm that Modicue had been admitted, and said the hospital does not give condition reports on victims of violence.

Hovis said the incident was traumatic for everyone involved, including the officer who fired his gun.

That officer will have the opportunity to speak with a police psychologist and the police department chaplain before returning to duty, Hovis said. The officer's name has not been released "to give him time to be at peace with himself and his family ... rather than having to repeat the story again and again to people who call and ask about it," Hovis said.

Hovis described events surrounding the shooting as "a lot of people yelling and screaming at us. I don't know how much of that was alcohol working on them, but when you have a big group together like that, it gives others encouragement."

Hovis said Kinnison would also meet with community groups that had questions about the incident.

In light of the shooting, an additional officer was assigned to patrol the downtown area during the River City Music Festival, though the shooting took place nearly a half-mile north of the riverfront event.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127

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