Cape teen charged in drive-by shooting

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Travell J. Steele

Cape Girardeau County Jail

A Cape Girardeau teenager faces multiple felonies on accusations that he fired a gun out of his car window toward another car.

Travell J. Steele, 18, of Cape Girardeau was charged with two counts of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action and illegal discharge or shooting of a firearm at a person.

Victims reported to police on Monday, May 20, that a man matching Steele’s description leaned out of a blue car, holding a black handgun as he fired five or six rounds toward the car. They reported the driver of the vehicle Steele was riding in appeared to be a female. An officer observed two bullet holes in the vehicle, one in the passenger side door panel and another in the passenger rear tire.

A witness came forward and told police that Steele had sent threatening text messages relating to a person “attempting to kiss a girl he was talking to” who, according to the witness, was the person who was driving the car, according to a probable cause statement signed by a police officer whose name is redacted.

Steele adamantly denied being involved in the shooting, according to the probable cause statement. But after he was arrested a witness told police that Steele had fired five rounds and placed the gun in the glove box inside the car. Officers retrieved the weapon.

The firearm and assault charges are Class B felonies, which carry a sentence of five to 15 years in prison.

Steele is being held without bond at Cape Girardeau County Jail. Judge Frank Miller is overseeing the case.

Comments

View 15 comments or respond

Community discussion is important, and we encourage you to participate as a reader and commenter. Click here to see our Guidelines. We also encourage registered users to let us know if they see something inappropriate on our site. You can do that by clicking "Report Comment" below. Our goal is to create a place for robust and civil discourse about our community, state and nation.

Because someone tried to kiss a girl? This kids life is basically over. After serving 5 years (will be sentenced to 15 years) he is down a felon lifestyle for the rest of his life. Over a girl.

-- Posted by Legend89 on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 8:33 AM
Ok folks, anyone else notice a pattern here in cape ? This is becoming so frequent now it’s barely “news” anymore. Thuggery and lawlessness are here in our once safe little town. I commend the brave actions of Cape PD to confront these criminals on a daily basis to remove this scourge from our streets. We can only hope the prosecutors and judges give maximum penalties to keep them behind bars where they belong. In the meantime I’ll protect myself and my family by exercising my 2nd amendment rights. Pray for our country and our city.

-- Posted by UltraRightDad on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 9:28 AM
Wish he didn't look so happy! Wish he had a better upbringing. Wish he was surrounded by better friends and family. But, wishing doesn't do anything. So much needs to be done. Just a sad situation all around. Glad no one was hurt in this truly stupid and childish behavior.

-- Posted by JodyO on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 11:34 AM
Based upon the "joyous nature" of the mug shot, he obviously had no idea, or doesn't care, about the penalty associated with his actions.

Throw the book at him!!!

-- Posted by kanda82 on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 11:34 AM
40 years…won’t be smiling!

-- Posted by Outfield on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 12:40 PM
I'm thinking that prison is going to wipe that smile right off his face.

-- Posted by Kristin Hopper on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 1:15 PM
We have to stiffen the penalties on gun related crimes. If the penalty was assuredly severe, he would not be smiling.

-- Posted by Sagamore on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 2:36 PM
That's not a mug shot , there is no height gauge behind him .

-- Posted by Trunkle on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 2:38 PM
Make each of these “less than smart” individuals poster children for what happens when you use a fire arm in this manner. Throw the book at them with maximum sentences that are served fully. Maybe it will make others think twice but maybe not…..a person that shoots because of this “kiss” reasoning isn’t playing with a full deck. No bond and max sentence!

-- Posted by Proud Paw Paw on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 3:18 PM
I agree with the comments regarding the smile on his face. Our justice system needs to knock that smile off. Crime isn’t funny, and this dude needs to be taught that.

-- Posted by Wilbur Right on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 6:07 PM
There should be no bail for anyone involved in a crime involving a gun. In the Bible Jesus said that there will be a degree of lawlessness. We got it this week for sure.

-- Posted by Robin Slinkard on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 6:59 PM
May justice take this off the streets & keep our city safe. Enough is enough. Please.

-- Posted by You Can't handle the Truth on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 7:07 PM
Legal consequences for this behavior is VERY serious, life changing. You hate to see any young person in this position. However, sometimes in society you have to make an example. This type of behavior becomes more prevalent when our consequences are too soft. In the end, tough love is usually best for all.

-- Posted by full house mom on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 8:41 PM
Notice our elected state officials have been noticeably quiet.Let folks keep their guns, but make a mandatory sentences for any crime involving a firearm--no suspension or reduction. I'd spend more for prisons to keep these folks off the street.

-- Posted by The Papa on Thu, May 23, 2024, at 9:37 PM
Is the driver of the car being charged as an accessory?

-- Posted by Liz_in_Cape on Fri, May 24, 2024, at 8:59 AM

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires a subscription.

More to explore