Kennett man charged in shooting

KENNETT, Mo. -- Charges were filed Tuesday against a local man who allegedly shot another Kennett man in the chest Monday evening.

According to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen P. Sokoloff, Danny Curlett, 47, is facing charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Both charges carry a penalty of up to life in prison.

According to Maj. Steve Williams of the Kennett Police Department, at 9:58 p.m. Monday, the department responded to a call at 1004 N. Vandeventer St. to investigate a shooting.

Williams said officers spoke with the resident of the property, Leroy White, who said he was in his front yard talking to Curlett when another Kennett resident, Kevin Gilmer, walked into the yard.

White said Curlett pulled a gun and shot Gilmer in the chest, according to Williams. Curlett then left the property, walking north on North Vandeventer Street, according to the witness.

Gilmer was transported to Twin Rivers Regional Medical Center in Kennett and was later taken to a hospital in Memphis, Tenn., where he is listed in critical condition.

The officers searched of the area, but were unable to find Curlett, Williams said. Curlett turned himself in about 6:15 a.m. Tuesday.

Sokoloff has made a motion to remove himself from the case, due to a previous working relationship with Curlett. Curlett is being held at the Dunklin County Justice Center on a $75,000 cash-only bond.