Police investigate Cape shooting, car theft

Cape Girardeau police are investigating a shooting and car theft that were reported in the wee hours Thursday morning.

Some of the details of the crime remain unclear as officers continue to investigate reports from witnesses, but what is known at this point is a man suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg, and a short time later, someone stole the rental car in which he was riding, said Darin Hickey, public information officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Hickey said police were called about 1:15 a.m. Thursday to Southeast Hospital where they found the shooting victim.

Based on witness reports, Hickey said the shooting occurred about 15 minutes earlier in the 500 block of South Frederick Street.

The driver of the rented Dodge Avenger reported he and the shooting victim were sitting in the vehicle when four men approached it, Hickey said.

The men in the car apparently got out, and the shooting victim -- who had been a passenger in the car -- told police he was shot while standing in the roadway, Hickey said.

"When the shot rang out and struck the victim in the leg, all parties took off running," he said.

As he was running, the man who had been driving the car saw it pass him but couldn't tell who was in it, Hickey said.

"We're not sure who took the vehicle," he said, noting that the thief could have been one of the men involved in the shooting or just a bystander who saw the men scatter and took advantage of the opportunity to steal the car.

Police are looking for the vehicle -- a blue, four-door, 2013 Dodge Avenger with Illinois license plate R365641 -- and the four men who approached it before the shooting, Hickey said.

He said the four men are described as middle-aged black males of average height and build, wearing dark clothing.

Police are asking anyone with information about the car, the shooting or the suspects to call the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 335-6621 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 339-6312.

"Don't approach the vehicle," Hickey said. "Contact local law enforcement if you believe that's the vehicle."

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

500 block of South Frederick Street, Cape Girardeau, MO