Police investigating shooting near Matthews, Mo.

MATTHEWS, Mo. -- An autopsy was conducted Thursday on a 48-year-old New Madrid County man who died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

An autopsy was scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday for Kevin Shelly, who resided on County Road 710, east of Matthews. Shelly was pronounced dead at the Missouri Delta Medical Center Wednesday afternoon from a wound he received from a. 22-caliber pistol.

According to New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens, his department received the report of the shooting at Shelly's residence at about 12:30 p.m.

Stevens said deputies had some trouble reaching the residence due to the floodwaters. When deputies were able to reach the victim, they began efforts to revive him and called for emergency medical personnel, who transferred Shelly to the hospital.

Stevens stated a woman was at the residence at the time of the shooting. She was questioned by investigators with the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The investigation is continuing today. "As with all death investigation ... we are treating it as a homicide until we determine otherwise," said Stevens.

The sheriff said he will confer with the prosecutor and a coroner's jury may be called for the case.