Cape Girardeau police identify shooter in Saturday morning bar incident

Cape Girardeau police officer Joseph "Joey" Hann will remain on administrative leave until the Missouri State Highway Patrol completes an investigation of his actions in shooting a Tamms, Ill., man early Saturday, department spokesman Sgt. Barry Hovis said.

Police withheld the name of Hann, 32, during the initial stages of the investigation. Hann has been a Cape Girardeau officer since Dec. 11, 2006, when he joined the force from the Scott City Police Department.

Hann is on leave with pay "until the Highway Patrol completes the investigation and confers with Morley" Swingle, the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney.

Hann and other officers responded to the Main Street Bar, also known as the Copa, 701 N. Main St., at about 1 a.m. Saturday when they observed a fight outside the drinking establishment while assisting with an emergency medical call on North Spanish Street, Hovis said. "They see a fight. As they are getting closer to the disturbance, they see a man point the gun at the person he had been fighting with."

Jordan T. Modicue, 20, of Tamms, Ill., was shot four times after Hann ordered him to drop the weapon, according to police reports of the incident. The gun, which is in police custody, turned out to be a Daisy air pistol used for shooting BBs and pellets. Modicue was shot twice in the abdomen, once in the leg and once in the groin.

Hann shot Modicue when he ignored calls to drop the weapon and turned toward Hann, police have said. But Hovis on Monday could not confirm whether Modicue actually heard the order. Investigators have not been able to question Modicue while he is undergoing treatment at a St. Louis hospital.

Hovis had no report yet about what occurred inside the bar that resulted in the disturbance outside.

The Main Street Bar is owned by Rick Werner. The bar was shut down for 20 days earlier this year for liquor license violations, including 15 days for a Sept. 7, 2007, incident that included an assault and shots being fired during a private party. Officers pushed their way through fleeing crowds to find a bar with overturned tables and chairs. Three people were treated at area hospitals.

At the time of the suspension, Peter Lobdell, supervisor of the state Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control said Werner's attorney told the division that rival gangs, attending a private party, started fighting when a particular song was played by the DJ. Werner promised, through his attorney, to restrict future parties to Southeast Missouri State University students with identification.

Werner could not be reached for comment immediately Monday afternoon.

For updates, check back at semissourian.com or read Tuesday's Southeast Missourian.