Man shot outside Poplar Bluff mental-health facility dies

A Broseley, Missouri, man who was shot earlier this month on the parking lot of a local mental-health facility has died.

The Butler County, Missouri, Coroner's Office was notified Tuesday by the staff at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau that Mitchell Dugger, 52, had died "due to complications developing from the gunshot wound to include renal failure and pneumonia," Coroner Jim Akers said.

Dugger's family "ultimately had to make the decision to remove him from life support," Akers said. "Due to the overwhelming amount of medical treatment he received, an autopsy is not needed."

Dugger had been a patient in Saint Francis' intensive care unit since he was flown there after being shot at least twice on his left side, in his leg and shoulder areas, on Oct. 14.

Dugger allegedly was shot by Eddie Skorcz during what authorities described as a ongoing domestic dispute among family members, which escalated in the parking lot area of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Behavioral Health. Dugger and Skorcz reportedly are related by marriage.

Family members told officers from the Poplar Bluff Police Department Skorcz and Dugger "became involved in a verbal altercation, which quickly turned physical," detective Josh Stewart wrote in his probable-cause statement.

The men's sons, who are cousins, began fighting nearby, Stewart said.

Stewart said Dugger's father, John, reported his attention was on his grandson and Skorcz's son when they heard "two gunshots."

"As they heard the gunshots, Jarred (Skorcz) and Jacob (Dugger) stopped fighting and turned to face" their fathers, Stewart said. "Jacob advised ... he observed his grandfather (John Dugger) on top of Eddie, restraining him as Eddie held a handgun."

Jacob Dugger then saw his father, who was described as bleeding profusely from his leg, and went to him to render aid, Stewart said.

The elder Skorcz was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Skorcz, 58, is being held in the Butler County jail in lieu of $250,000 cash or surety bond.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.