Charges for West Plains Man who Shot at Turkeys from Roadway

Thomas Sullivan, 56, of West Plains, has been charged with two misdemeanors: fourth degree assault and one count of taking or attempting to take turkeys in a public roadway.  According to a probable cause statement filed by Missouri Department of Conservation Agent Matthew Franks, a hunter who was taking advantage of the Spring Turkey season on May 3 on private property on County Road 1540 was shot while he was stalking a turkey. Another party, later determined to be Sullivan, shot at the bird from the roadway. 

The hunter reported he was working the turkey and moved to cut the animal off as it was walking down a clearing between the county road and the patch of timber in which he was hunting. He saw a truck coming down the county road from the east that slowed down when the driver saw turkeys in the field. The hunter reported he saw a gun barrel stick out the window, and he heard a shot before feeling himself peppered with bird shot. He did not sustain any penetrating wounds from the shot and felt well enough to confront the shooter in the field. Two men were moving through the field looking for the turkey. The hunter recognized Sullivan from previous interactions. 

Agent Frank spoke with Sullivan at his residence where Sullivan related a series of events that tracked closely with the hunter’s version of the story. 

Charges in this matter were filed by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Rizwan Ahad on July 31.