A Scott County man is being held without bond after facing six charges, including first-degree domestic assault, in a case that authorities say began with a shotgun attack inside a home and ended with his pickup truck in a ditch.
Johnny Ray Norville, of Scott County, was charged following a Nov. 12 incident, according to a Scott County Sheriff’s Office news release. The charges were filed by the Scott County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, according to KBSI FOX23.
The alleged assault
Deputies responded to a report of an assault involving a firearm at a residence at about 1:44 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, according to the sheriff’s office, as reported by the Southeast Missourian and KBSI FOX23.
The victim told deputies that Norville entered the home while she was sleeping on a couch and struck her in the leg with the buttstock of a shotgun, according to the sheriff’s office account reported by KBSI FOX23. A struggle followed as she tried to take control of the gun, and during the altercation Norville allegedly threatened to kill her, KBSI FOX23 and KFVS12 reported.
A witness entered the residence during the struggle and intervened, after which Norville left in a silver Chevrolet Silverado, still carrying the shotgun, according to the sheriff’s office.
The attempted stop
Shortly after, an off-duty Sikeston police officer spotted Norville driving on State Highway H near County Highway 506, according to the sheriff’s office. Scott County deputies tried to pull him over with emergency lights and siren, but he allegedly refused to yield. His truck then ran off the roadway into a ditch and stopped about 200 yards after the initial attempt to stop him, KBSI FOX23 reported.
Norville was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies reported finding the shotgun in plain view behind the driver’s seat, according to KFVS12.
Investigators determined that Norville is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms and that his Missouri driving privileges had been revoked, the sheriff’s office said.
The charges
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the following charges, according to KBSI FOX23:
First-degree domestic assault, a Class B felony. Armed criminal action, an unclassified felony. Unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class C felony. Unlawful use of a weapon by exhibiting, a Class E felony. Aggravated fleeing a stop or detention under Valentine’s Law, a Class D felony. Driving while revoked or suspended, first offense, a Class D misdemeanor.
Norville is being held at the Scott County Jail without bond. Scott County Sheriff Derick Wheetley thanked responding deputies, the off-duty Sikeston officer and Sikeston Communications for their role in locating and arresting Norville, KBSI FOX23 reported.
The charges are allegations. Norville is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, and no court records on arraignment or legal representation were available at the time of publication.
Reporting by SEMO Link, based on a Scott County Sheriff’s Office news release and accounts from the Southeast Missourian, KBSI FOX23 and KFVS12.