Police say woman opened fire on wrecker, 2 deputies

BENTON, Mo. -- A wrecker driver turned into the wrong driveway Saturday afternoon and found himself dodging the spray of a shotgun, police say.

The driver was accompanied by two Scott County deputies. They were going to retrieve a stolen ATV.

The alleged shooter, Lois R. Davis, 48, of 74 Victory Lane, became "combative" and wouldn't allow the deputies to cuff her, Scott County chief deputy Tom Beardslee said. Davis was arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest. She was taken to the Scott County Jail, where she posted bond, which was set at $25,000 on both charges.

"I don't believe she saw the deputies" before she began shooting, Beardslee said.

The sheriff's department responded to a call that a stolen ATV had been recovered. They summoned the wrecker service to assist with the job.

When the driver arrived, he turned into the adjoining driveway, realized his mistake and tried to pull out when Davis allegedly stepped onto the porch and began shooting.

No one was hit by gunfire, despite both deputies standing in front of the truck.

The driver had never met Davis and could not explain why she would shoot at him, Beardslee said.

"This is just an indication of how a seemingly innocuous incident can escalate into a deadly encounter without warning, and for no apparent reason," said Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter in a prepared statement.

Police say they believe Davis may have been intoxicated at the time. Police said she refused to take a breathalyzer test.

It's possible she had a car repossessed in the past, Beardslee said.

"People don't usually shoot at wrecker drivers for no reason," he said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245