Shot fired through home misses woman's head by 2 feet

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Butler County woman is lucky to be alive after a neighbor allegedly shot a bullet from a high-powered rifle into her trailer -- missing her head by two feet as she slept.

Butler County sheriff's deputies arrested Keith Martin, 31, of Poplar Bluff at 11:17 p.m. Saturday on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon, a misdemeanor. He was booked at the county jail and released pending a review of the case by the prosecuting attorney's office.

According to an incident report, authorities responded to a report of shots fired at 10:20 p.m. Saturday in the 2200 block of County Road 343. While police were en route, the victim called authorities to report one of those shots had entered her residence.

When police arrived, according to the report, a "belligerent" Martin was standing in his front yard, stating there were 10 people standing there. Deputies said Martin admitted firing the shot after seeing a "flash."

Martin allegedly told officers the flash was someone trying to burn down his chicken coop, and he fired three shots -- two into the ground and one into the neighbor's trailer. Deputies seized a Ruger .30 caliber rifle from his residence and detained Martin.

Deputies met with the victim, who stated she was sleeping when a "loud boom" awakened her, and she smelled gunpowder. Upon examining the bullet hole with deputies and realizing the bullet missed her head by about two feet, the victim began to cry, according to the report.

Deputies reported Martin appeared to be under the influence. According to the report, Martin would not sit still and made spontaneous statements, such as "there were 30 of them."

A witness reported they did not see anyone on Martin's property.

The case is expected to be turned over to the Butler County prosecuting attorney, who will decide on charges.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.