Sikeston man charged in shooting incident

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston man is in custody following a shooting investigation by the Mississippi County Sheriff's Department.

Trevor Michael Tatum Jr., 29, is charged with felony first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Because of a prior felony conviction, Tatum Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore said the investigation began Saturday morning, when Deputy Marc Tragesser was dispatched to a rural Mississippi County residence to investigate a shooting. At the scene, Tragesser secured the area then obtained medical treatment for the victim, who stated he had been shot by Tatum.

"The subsequent investigation by deputy Tragesser and deputy David Kirn revealed Trevor Tatum Jr. had stopped at the residence to borrow money; and after a brief argument, Tatum reportedly discharged a firearm striking the victim in the leg," Moore said.

Tatum was found Saturday by the Sikeston Department of Public Safety then transported to the Mississippi County Detention Center, the sheriff reported.

Tatum was arraigned Wednesday on the charges, according to online court records. By press time, he remained in the Mississippi County Detention Center with bond set at $200,000.