Law officers kill 26-year-old man in Webster County

by Cara Restelli, KY3 News

Law officers kill 26-year-old man in Webster County

This is the home north of Marshfield where Joshua Elder was killed after he shot at a state trooper and a Webster County sheriff's deputy on Monday night. (Tim Leimkuhler/KY3 NEWS)

By Paula Dowler

MARSHFIELD, Mo. -- A man died after a shootout with Webster County sheriff's deputies and a state trooper on Monday night. It happened after officers responded to a report of a disturbance a few miles north of Marshfield. The shooting victim was Joshua Elder, 26.

The Webster County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release that a call was received at 10:34 p.m. from neighbors of the home on Sand Ridge Road about four miles northwest of Marshfield involving shouting and possibly shots being fired. A news release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says the shooting was about 11:15.

After the call to 911, two deputies and Trooper Michael Cary arrived on the scene and approached the home to try to talk to Elder. The Highway Patrol says the trooper saw through a window that Elder had a handgun.

Elder came out a back door and fired toward Cary and a deputy, who were behind the home. His shot may have struck a private vehicle that was in the driveway, according to the sheriff’s department.

The deputy and Cary returned fire and wounded Elder. The sheriff’s department said the officers tried to save the man’s life but he died at the scene.

An autopsy could tell investigators more about Elder’s condition before his death. The sheriff’s department would not say where bullets hit the man. Officers said no one was in the home during the shooting.

The deputy, who isn’t identified, and Cary are on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure when officers are involved in a shooting. The Highway Patrol says it and the sheriff’s department are both investigating the shooting.

Online court records show Elder has convictions or charges in recent years for property damage, illegal drug possession, driving while intoxicated and driving without a license.

A pastor who was at Elder's home on Tuesday morning said he was there to help Elder's family. The pastor didn't want to talk much but said Elder had a troubled life in recent years.

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