Victim Survives, Two Charged after Shooting in West Plains

Deputies from the Howell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man with a gunshot wound who had driven himself to a truck stop at the intersection of US Highway 63 and State Route 14 on September 7 at 8:53 p.m. When they arrived, deputies contacted the victim who was alert despite his multiple, bleeding wounds. The victim told law enforcement and first responders he was shot by Casey Tetrick. He was transported by ambulance from the scene and ultimately airlifted to a hospital in Springfield for treatment. 

According to the victim’s testimony at the scene, he was driving on County Road 1750, when he stopped to help a vehicle that was broken down. The victim told officers that Tetrick exited the broken down vehicle and started shooting at him. Tetrick’s female companion, Watawna Brashers, was reportedly driving the vehicle. 

The primary crime scene was later discovered by law enforcement on County Road 1750, north of its intersection with County Road 1380.

Tetrick and Brashers were located at approximately 11:23 p.m. at the Ridgecrest Motel. Though Tetrick told officers he had been at the hotel since 9:00 a.m., the engine of his vehicle was warm to the touch. Bashers initially told a story similar to Tetrick’s, reads a probable cause statement filed in this matter, but she later recanted and admitted that she was supposed to meet the victim that night. 

Tetrick was taken into custody. In a second interview with police, he would tell officers what became of the firearm used in the shooting. 

“He went on to say that it wasn’t supposed to happen...and he hoped Smith was alive,” reads the probable cause statement. 

Tetrick refused to answer any further questions after conferring with his attorney. 

Investigators interviewed Brashers again at the Ridgecrest Motel, revealing to her they had enough evidence to implicate her in the crime. She could not or would not tell investigators what had become of the gun used in the shooting. 

When asked what was supposed when the victim stopped by the roadside, she responded that she, “did not know what was supposed to happen, I mean… [he] planned on killing someone.”

Brashers was taken into custody, requested an attorney, and refused to answer any further questions.

Both Tetrick and Brashers remain in custody at press time, each held on a bond of $100,000 cash or corporate surety. They have both been charged with one felony count of first degree assault and one felony count armed criminal action. 

In his probable cause statement, Investigator Buddy Thompson noted, “In this instance, the victim was able to avoid a fatal injury. However, this assault could have just as easily resulted in his death.”