GERALD, Mo. -- A Texas man was shot to death during a fight at an eastern Missouri apartment complex, police said.

The shooting happened Wednesday night near the Franklin County town Gerald. The victim, Jodie Welch Jr., 35, was shot twice in the chest and in the leg with a .22-caliber rifle, Sheriff Gary Toelke said.

The suspect, a 47-year-old Gerald area man, told investigators he shot Welch in self-defense, claiming Welch attacked him first.

Investigators said the two men argued earlier Wednesday after the suspect told Welch not to come onto his property. Welch allegedly made threats before leaving, authorities said.

Welch returned later with several other people and the suspect fired a warning shot into a tree, authorities said.

Witnesses said a number of people began fighting. Welch was shot during the skirmish.

Welch was from Texas and had been staying with friends in the Gerald area, Toelke said.