Shooting in Cape Girardeau robbery attempt wounds man

A man was wounded in a shooting in central Cape Girardeau Monday afternoon during an apparent robbery attempt, the Cape Girardeau Police Department reported.

Police were notified at about 5:45 p.m. that a 29-year-old man who gave a Hayti, Mo., address had arrived at the Southeast Missouri Hospital emergency room with a bullet in his leg, Sgt. Barry Hovis said.

The man and his female companion, 24, from Jonesboro, Ark., first told police they had been sitting in a car when they were approached by two males demanding money, Hovis said.

The two gave differing descriptions of their assailants, and changed their story about whether they were in their car when the shooting occurred, Hovis said.

The injury to the man's lower left thigh was not life-threatening, Hovis said.

The man and woman, who said they were not familiar with Cape Girardeau, described the location of the shooting and police believe they have narrowed it down to the 900 block of William Street, Hovis said.

"We don't know enough right now except we have to speak with him some more and find some more witnesses," Hovis said.

At least one witness has been located who heard a shot at approximately 5:15 p.m., Hovis said.

"The female described the shooter as a short, heavy-set black male," Hovis said. She was unable to give a description of the other robber, he said.

The shooting victim, however, said the assailants were two muscular, stocky males, "football types" in white T-shirts and both stood over 6 feet tall, Hovis said. "There is a little discrepency."

Officers will continue the investigation Tuesday in an attempt to find more witnesses and locate the shooters, Hovis said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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