Kennett teenager fatally shot Saturday morning

KENNETT, Mo. -- A 17-year-old male was fatally shot while allegedly breaking into a Kennett home, and Dunklin County prosecuting attorneys are investigating to determine what charges, if any, will be filed.

The Daily Dunklin Democrat cited Lt. Rick Groves of the Kennett Police Department, who reported that around 3:10 a.m. Saturday, officers were called to an apartment located on the 700 block of Everett Street in regard to a burglary. The resident told police that while he was away an unknown person broke in and stole a 25-inch television. A report was filed on the case.

Less than two hours later, Groves reported that officers were called back to the same residence, where they discovered the body of Bradford Hill Jr., 17, of Kennett, lying unresponsive on the back porch, an apparent victim of a fatal shooting.

The resident told officers that he shot Hill after Hill had entered the home.

Under Missouri law, people in their homes can defend themselves with a deadly weapon if they feel threatened, or to prevent arson or burglary, or to protect someone else from injury or death by presumed attackers. However, Hill's family wants local prosecutors to consider filing charges in the case.

Prosecuting attorney Stephen P. Sokoloff told reporters on Sunday that although his office sends sympathies out to the Hill family regarding the loss of their son, the investigation continues, and his department plans to determine what charges, if any, will be filed.

Sokoloff was expected to prepare a release with further details on the case by Monday afternoon.

In an unrelated case, Bradford Hill Jr., was arrested by local police in the past year and charged with assault in connection to an incident in which he allegedly attacked his father, Bradford Hill Sr., with a knife.

Court records pertaining to that case indicate that he had pleaded guilty to the second-degree assault charge, a misdemeanor count, and was placed on probation for the incident, but reportedly violated conditions of his probation resulting in a suspension of his probation, a warrant being issued, and bond being set at $2,500 cash-only, as of Aug. 23, 2010.