Missouri – In a chilling incident in Missouri, an 18-year-old man, identified as C. Curtis, is accused of fatally shooting his adoptive father and calmly informing the man’s wife that “it had to be done.” Curtis faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action as stated by the sheriff’s office in connection with the incident that took place late on the night of September 28, at the family residence.
Authorities were alerted to the crime at 11:23 p.m., when Curtis himself called 911 to report that he had shot his father. Responding within minutes, local law enforcement and state troopers arrived at the scene to find a deeply distressing situation. Two women, described as hysterical, met officers in the driveway.
Upon entering the home, officials encountered a grim scene: Curtis’ father was found deceased, lying face down on the kitchen floor with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed due to redactions in the official documents, was apparently shot at close range with a Mossberg Patriot .308 caliber rifle—a weapon typically used for long-distance shooting. According to the police report, “[T]here was a spent shell casing still in the chamber upon recovering the rifle,” which had no additional bullets in its magazine.
Curtis was apprehended just one block away from his home, a mere 10 minutes after the 911 call was made. The details surrounding the motive and circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation, but initial reports indicate a sudden and violent altercation. The victim’s wife recounted waking to the sound of the gunshot and encountering Curtis, who handed her the murder weapon before descending the stairs. His chilling words to her were: “I already called 911 and I had to do it.”
She then discovered her husband’s body in the dining room, a scene that would become the center of the ongoing investigation. Curtis has since pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and remains detained without bond at the county’s jail, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 7. The incident has resonated deeply within the community, prompting a swift response from local authorities. Police Chief C. Dillon expressed his gratitude for the rapid intervention of the police and assured the public that there was no further danger to the community. He also extended condolences to the affected family and friends, emphasizing the tragic nature of the event.
Chief Dillon stated, “I want to thank everyone for their fast response to this incident. I take pride in working together to put the safety and security of this community first. At this time, we still have a lot of investigation to continue but we can assure the community there is no additional danger relating to this incident. We would like to offer our condolences to the family and friends affect by this tragic event. We have no further information at this time.” As the investigation continues, the victim’s family is left to grapple with the shocking violence and its aftermath, hoping for answers and justice in the wake of the incident.
