Police seize property to find motive in shooting

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Authorities seized property from the homes of a slain nurse and the man who fatally shot himself as part of their investigation into the murder-suicide.

Melinda Domminguez, 55, was shopping at the Rozier's Country Mart in Ste. Genevieve when police said she was gunned down Tuesday by Patrick Williams, 26. After shooting Domminguez multiple times, including at least once in the face, Williams took his own life, police chief Dale Newman said.

Less than two months earlier, Domminguez unsuccessfully sought an order of protection against Williams and his father, court records showed.

About a week and a half ago, Kenneth Williams was issued summonses for trespassing and harassment against Domminguez, he said.

On Wednesday, investigators issued search warrants for the homes of Domminguez and Williams, both of whom have homes in the rural part of the county, according to Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer.

Officials seized computers, letters, notes and answering machines to help determine the motive behind the shooting, which may have stemmed from a dispute Williams' father had with Domminguez, Stolzer said.

The father, Kenneth Williams, was hired by Domminguez to look after farmland she had in the county while she stayed at another home in Arnold, Mo., a St. Louis suburb, Newman said.

When Domminguez, a nurse at a St. Louis-area hospital, and her fiancŽ decided to build a house on the property and live there, she no longer needed Williams' services, the chief said.

Domminguez's petitions for orders of protection against both Williamses were denied Aug. 23, according to court records.

"A piece of paper wouldn't have kept these people away," Stolzer said.

As of Wednesday evening, Kenneth Williams was not suspected of being involved in the fatal shooting, and the case remains under investigation, according to the sheriff.

Domminguez and Kenneth Williams had known each other for about 12 years, according to Newman, who declined to comment specifically on their relationship.

The afternoon of the shooting, Patrick Williams and Domminguez began having a conversation inside the grocery store. The content of their conversation is not known.

Police do not know if their meeting at the grocery store was by chance or if it was arranged, according to Newman.

"We just know they found each other there, unfortunately," he said.

At some point during the conversation, Williams went to his vehicle, retrieved a .357-caliber revolver and returned to the store, where he opened fire and killed Domminguez, Newman said.

Six shots were fired, the last of which Williams used to kill himself.

Stolzer said the relationships between Domminguez and both Williamses remained under investigation.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127