Man shot by police is charged

MALDEN, Mo. -- The man shot by Malden's police chief after he allegedly flourished a handgun at officers is behind bars facing felony charges.

Bobby Newt Cantrell, 48, of Dexter, Missouri, was arrested Thursday night in Pemiscot County by the Missouri State Highway Patrol on a Dunklin County warrant charging him with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

About 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, Malden police received a report indicating Cantrell was suicidal and left his mother's residence with a gun, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Scott Stoelting's probable-cause statement.

"The caller further stated if Cantrell saw an officer, he would kill himself," Stoelting said.

Malden police Cpl. Nick Darter saw Cantrell a few minutes later walking from the Dollar General store, crossing Route J, onto the Amerimart parking lot, Stoelting said.

"Cpl. Darter pulled into Amerimart, where he observed Cantrell with a gun," Stoelting said. "Cantrell walked to a white truck at the gas pumps and pointed his gun at Cpl. Darter. The male subject inside the truck later told me he feared for his life as Cantrell was pointing the gun at Cpl. Darter."

At that point, Stoelting said, Malden police chief Jarrett Bullock arrived.

"Chief Bullock was able to get Cantrell's attention away from the white truck and Cpl. Darter," Stoelting said. "Chief Bullock gave Cantrell commands to put his weapon down. Cantrell refused to comply and continued to have his gun visible throughout this contact."

According to the report, Cantrell began walking backward to the Malden Community Center.

As Cantrell made it to the rear of the Amerimart, Stoelting said, he saw Darter and Sgt. Jimmy Phelps behind the store.

"Cantrell then raised his gun and pointed it at the two officers," Stoelting said. "Chief Bullock heard what he believed was Cantrell cocking the hammer on his gun. At this time, Chief Bullock fired two shots, striking Cantrell, who fell to the ground."

Stoelting said Cantrell did not drop his gun. Phelps and Darter, however, were "at his position when he fell. They removed the gun from his person and then called for EMS."

The gun, a .357 Magnum, was "loaded, and the hammer was cocked in the firing position," Stoelting said.

Cantrell was taken to an area hospital for treatment of one gunshot wound.

Cantrell, Stoelting said, on Wednesday admitted to patrol Sgt. Jeremy Weadon "he did, in fact, point a gun at the Malden police officers. Cantrell told Sgt. Weadon the reason he had a gun is because he was in a rage, and he was going across town to kill someone."

Stoelting said Cantrell would not identify who he wanted to kill.

Cantrell was treated and released at a Cape Girardeau hospital and arrested in Pemiscot County by a trooper.

Cantrell was booked at the Pemiscot County Jail and later transferred to the Dunklin County Justice Center. His bond is set at $300,000 cash.