Wappapello businessman killed in his store Friday

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- The owner of Bud's Country Store was killed Friday apparently after surprising someone inside the store shortly after it had closed.

Gary Lee "Bud" Ayers, 52, of Wappapello was pronounced dead at the scene from a single gunshot wound to the chest, according to Butler County Coroner Larry Cotrell.

A shotgun and a semiautomatic handgun were found at the scene, according to chief deputy Rick Sliger. The shotgun appears to be the weapon that killed Ayers, "but it can't be confirmed until we get lab results back."

The Butler County Sheriff's Department was alerted to the store, on Highway T about five miles south of Wappapello, after a burglar alarm sounded at 6:52 p.m.

According to Sliger, deputy Eddie Redmond arrived at the scene and found the front door to the building unlocked. He went inside to secure the store and found Ayers' body in an office in the rear.

Authorities speculate Ayers closed the store, then returned a short time later and confronted someone inside the business.

"We found no evidence of forced entry," Sliger said. "There's a possibility a door could have been left unlocked."

Robbery appeared to be the motive, he said, because some cash and receipts are missing, although there's "no satisfactory estimation" of the amount.

Sliger said authorities are unsure how many suspects are involved.

A residence behind the store is unoccupied, Sliger said, however, "we have canvassed the neighborhood" and "talked to a few individuals who actually heard the gunshot."

At present no evidence suggests that Ayers might have known his killer, Sliger said.

An autopsy was scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Mineral Area Hospital at Farmington, Mo.