Man shot in legs during gambling fight

Daily American Republic

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities are searching for a man suspected of shooting a Charleston, Mo., man over a gambling dispute at a party early Sunday morning.

"They were having a large party with several individuals coming and going," said Poplar Bluff police Detective Gary Pride. "No one can say who was there and not there."

There was a dispute over the alleged gambling and a "fight erupted with people hitting each other with beer bottles," Pride said. "This rapidly escalated to the point where a gun was drawn and shots were fired."

Trone Kent, 22, was struck twice, once in each leg, below the knee. Pride said one bullet could have caused both injuries. Kent was reportedly taken by private vehicle to Three Rivers Healthcare-North Campus, where he was treated and released.

"We're doing the best we can to put the pieces of the puzzle together without much assistance from any of the witnesses," Pride said.