Sikeston police seek Monday shooting victim

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A gunfight erupted Monday night at the corner of Branum and William streets, resulting in at least two people being shot, said Sikeston Department of Public Safety director Drew Juden.

Officers responded to a disturbance in the area at 6 p.m., when about 10 shots were heard. Witnesses at the site were "extremely vague" in their accounts of the incident, police said.

Shortly afterward, police were told a victim at 514 Clayton was shot in the upper left thigh. That man, Michael Robinson, was also vague in describing what happened, police said. He said he was walking in the area and heard shots but didn't see anyone firing a gun. He was taken by ambulance to Missouri Delta Medical Center and kept overnight for observation.

Around 7 p.m., personnel from St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, notified Sikeston police they received a gunshot victim from Sikeston. This man was also shot in the leg. During an interview, police surmised he was part of the William and Branum incident, but he said he was shot at a different location.

He also told hospital personnel his name was Robert Kelly, which was false information. When a detective stepped out of the room to check some information, the man received his release papers from the hospital and left. He is currently being sought by police for questioning.

Juden expressed concern at a lack of resident involvement.

"There are numerous witnesses who could assist in the investigation and help us put the responsible parties in jail," he said. "We have a good idea of what went on and we are continuing the investigation, and arrests are likely."