Wayne County man charged with murder after fatal shooting

Daily American Republic

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- A Wappapello, Mo., man was charged Monday afternoon with murdering another man who was shot during an apparent altercation following a day of drinking together.

Arthur E. Strahorn, 61, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action by Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Bob Ramshur.

Strahorn, who is being held without bond in the Wayne County Jail, is charged in connection with the Friday death of Thomas F. Remmert, 63, of Wappapello.

Authorities responded Friday to Remmert's residence, which reportedly is on County Road 510, after a call came into the Wayne County Sheriff's Department at 7:04 p.m.

Remmert, who was suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, was found collapsed on the deck outside his residence and was flown to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, where he was pronounced dead later that night, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Jeremy Weadon's probable-cause statement on file with the court.

Strahorn was at the residence when officers arrived and "admitted to several officers that he had shot Mr. Remmert," Weadon said.

Strahorn, who appeared to be intoxicated, was taken to the Wayne County Sheriff's Department where he later was interviewed, Weadon said.

After being told of his rights, Strahorn "told investigators he and Mr. Remmert had been drinking all day," Weadon said. "They were at Mr. Remmert's house and Mr. Remmert started calling him names ¿

"Mr. Strahorn was sitting on the couch close to where Mr. Remmert was seated in his chair."

Strahorn, Weadon said, told officers Remmert got up and "started punching him in the face and chest. Mr. Strahorn said he received a bloody nose from the altercation."

Remmert, according to Strahorn's statement, went into the bedroom, where he stayed for a few minutes.

"He came back with a rifle and told Mr. Strahorn: 'I ought to just shoot you,'" Weadon said. "A struggle ensued over the gun, and Mr. Strahorn ended up with the gun.

"Mr. Strahorn then shot Mr. Remmert in the abdomen."

Strahorn, Weadon said, reported he had shot Remmert because he was "scared for his life."

After being shot, Remmert went outside, where he collapsed on the deck and asked for help, Weadon said.

"Mr. Strahorn tried to use Mr. Remmert's telephone, but it was not working," Weadon said. He "then went to a nearby residence and asked them to call for help.

"Mr. Strahorn said he told the neighbors he had just shot Tom."

Strahorn and the neighbor returned to Remmert's residence, where the neighbor attempted first aid until emergency personnel arrived, Weadon said.

The neighbor, who also was interviewed, told investigators Strahorn had gone into the house for a few minutes prior to the emergency personnel arriving.

When Strahorn was confronted about going into the house, "he first denied going into the house, but later admitted he was upset about what had happened, so he went into the house and beat his face and head into the wall in the bathroom."

Weadon said Strahorn was re-interviewed at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the sheriff's department.

After again being told of his rights, Weadon said, Strahorn provided an account similar to his first one.

Strahorn, Weadon said, indicated the initial altercation was brief before Remmert went into his bedroom.

When Remmert returned with the gun and the struggle ensued, Strahorn reiterated he was able to get the gun away from Remmert, Weadon said.

"Mr. Strahorn sat down on the couch, and Mr. Remmert sat in his chair," Weadon said. "Mr. Strahorn kept possession of the gun.

"A few minutes passed, and Mr. Remmert got out of his chair and started toward Mr. Strahorn. [He] pointed the gun at Mr. Remmert and shot him."

Remmert, according to Strahorn's statement, did not say anything when he came toward him, nor did Strahorn say anything to Remmert.

"Mr. Strahorn fired one shot into Mr. Remmert's abdomen," Weadon said. "Mr. Remmert fell back into his chair, got up, walked out the door and collapsed on the deck."

An autopsy subsequently was performed Sunday on Remmert by Dr. Michael Zaricor at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Mo.

Wayne County Coroner Gary Umfleet said Tuesday morning he did not know what Zaricor's findings were from the autopsy, but was expecting to receive that information later in the day.

Sheriff Phillip Burton said this incident was the first time he has heard of Strahorn.

"I heard Mr. Remmert's name a couple of times, but don't specifically remember us dealing with him," he said.

Pertinent address:

Wappapello, MO