Suspect sought for shooting into a home in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Local authorities are searching for a Poplar Bluff man wanted for allegedly firing multiple shots into a Roxie Drive home early Sunday morning.

Poplar Bluff police officers were sent at 2:30 a.m. to a home in the 300 block of Roxie Drive, where witnesses reported Christopher Gainwell, 25, had "demanded entry" into the residence, said Capt. David Sutton.

"I believe he had come to the house looking for his ex-girlfriend," Sutton said. "He didn't ask for her, but knew she was loosely associated with that house."

When the occupants refused to let Gainwell in, he allegedly produced a handgun and fired three shots into the residence through front window, Sutton said.

None of Gainwell's alleged shots struck a person; however, they did break the glass-paned window, Sutton said.

Gainwell, who is wanted on outstanding warrants for unrelated felony charges, was identified as the alleged shooter, Sutton said.

"Everyone involved is acquainted or related; they knew him," Sutton said. "This was not a random act."

Sutton said witnesses outside the home knew Gainwell "personally and identified him by his full name. At least one occupant in the house, looked out and also identified him by his full name."

Sutton said Gainwell should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about Gainwell's whereabouts is asked to call the police department at 573-785-5776 or the nearest law enforcement agency.