Jackson man charged in shootout makes court appearance

A Jackson man who had been charged with assault on law enforcement officers after a June shootout in the city's Broadridge neighborhood made his first court appearance Monday.

Lawrence Anthony Guthrie, 46, appeared from Cape Girardeau County Jail via video conference for an arraignment on three charges of assault on a police officer, one of first-degree domestic assault and one of armed criminal action. If convicted, Guthrie faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Guthrie's jaw was in a brace, with pins protruding through his cheeks, the result of a self-inflicted wound, said Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle. Guthrie's right arm was pinned across his abdomen and his head shook weakly from side to side, as he asked Associate Circuit Court Judge Gary Kamp for two weeks to determine whether he would be able to hire an attorney to represent him.

Lawrence Anthony Guthrie

Kamp set a review hearing in the case for July 30. Guthrie remained in the jail Monday on $500,000 bond.

Guthrie is accused of firing weapons June 19 at his wife and at Jackson police, Cape Girardeau County sheriff's deputies and a state trooper, according to a probable-cause statement.

Guthrie arrived that afternoon at the 1240 Broadridge Drive home he and his estranged wife had shared, Guthrie's wife told investigators. He punched and kicked her, according to the statement. He went to his pickup "to get his gun," she told investigators. But she got her own. When he came back inside and saw that she had a weapon, he began firing at her. She fled to the basement and called for help.

Jackson police responded about 4 p.m. to the reported dispute in the subdivision near Jackson Middle School, chief James Humphreys said after the incident. Shortly after the call came, police received reports Guthrie had a high-powered rifle and a handgun and that shots had been fired.

When troopers arrived to assist Jackson police, the suspect fled into the woods and a chase ensued, the statement said. The incident ended about 4:30 p.m., when officers shot Guthrie multiple times, authorities said. Before officers reached him, Guthrie shot himself in the chin, Swingle said.

An AR-15 rifle and a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun were recovered at the scene where Guthrie was shot. Guthrie was taken to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis after the incident.

Guthrie is responsible for his own medical expenses, said Cape County Sheriff's Department Lt. David James. Guthrie was transported to the jail Thursday. Deputies served arrest warrants on him when he arrived at the jail, James said.

jgamm@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1240 Broadridge Drive, Jackson, MO

101 Court St., Jackson, MO