Teens arrested for firing guns at homes

Two adults have been charged following reported shootings in and out of West Plains city limits. The West Plains Police Department and Howell County Sheriff's Office worked together to locate two young adults and an unnamed juvenile after receiving reports of gunshots being fired from three locations. 

 

On November 16, shortly after midnight, police officers were dispatched to the area of Wayhaven Street for a report of shots fired. The reporting party indicated they heard gunshots but could not see any altercation.

 

While en route to the first call, Officer Daiman Meyer was dispatched to the Boys and Girls Club on First Street for another report of shots fired, according to court documents. Meyer spoke with multiple people on the street who noted hearing gunshots from the same area, but the officer was unable to locate any individuals or locate any physical evidence.

 

At this time, the Sheriff's Office was responding to a similar call with a description of the suspect’s vehicle, a black sedan, headed toward the city limits. Howell County Deputy Talon Millard noted an altercation involving two people on County Road 1770. The two had been involved in an argument with Koby Alan Hicks, 19, and a juvenile pointed an AK-47 style rifle at the victim and fired at his residence. These two, along with Hunter Jacob Hulsey, 18, were later located on County Road 4000, off State Route CC by an off-duty officer in a black 2005 Ford Focus.

 

Hicks and Hulsey were described as being intoxicated during interviews with police. Hicks allegedly told the authorities he had been drinking alcohol because he had broken up with his girlfriend and his friends picked him up from his home, where they continued to drink alcohol while driving around. He continued, saying they decided to shoot firearms from the vehicle. Hicks said he had an AR-15 and a Mossberg pistol but had only shot the pistol. Hicks was noted as being unable to clearly retell the events of the evening due to his extreme level of intoxication. Hulsey told police he had been wanting to shoot his new AK-47. He did not say the exact number of rounds shot and said they had drove past Galloway Park, located on County Road 1770. Hulsey was the driver of the vehicle and provided a preliminary breath test with a result of .108% and smelled heavily of intoxicants. 

 

Hicks and Hulsey have been charged with discharge/shoot firearm at or from a motor vehicle/shoot at person, motor vehicle, or building/habitable structure with Hicks being charged as a persistent offender and Hulsey being charged as a prior offender. Both are currently free on a $50,000 surety bond and had an arraignment scheduled for Monday, Nov. 25.