JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — Just before 7:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, Jasper County Emergency 911 were alerted to reports of a shooting at 5300 block W 20th, near Central City and W 20th. Reported as an adult male shot in the head. 

Carl Junction Fire, Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputies and METS ambulance responded. Joplin Police Dept assisted. 

PROPERTY SATURDAY AFTER FRIDAY EVENING SHOOTING.
7:10 PM, FRIDAY, DEC. 3. AT 5300 BLOCK WEST 20TH AS JASPER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DETECTIVES INVESTIGATE SHOOTING.

The adult male was still alert as transported Priority One to an area hospital. He is expected to survive. 

The property is that of a former house, now torn down, and currently an RV is used as a dwelling. We are told the bullet was fired through the outside wall of the RV and struck the victim who was inside. 

Investigators spent most of the evening investigating behind yellow crime scene tape at the property. Detective J. Lynch of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit tells us that no one was in custody at that time. However they were filing Felony Warrants for the arrest of a suspect.

JOPLIN POLICE ARREST JASPER COUNTY SHOOTING SUSPECT

Capt. William Davis reveals information that an early morning arrest Saturday, Dec. 4 in Joplin was identified as the shooter in the Jasper County incident. Benjamin E. Bartlett, age 21 of Joplin.

Late Friday night Jasper County investigators were able to id Bartlett through witnesses. They then filed Felony Warrants for his arrest.

  • Bartlett is facing the following in Jasper County:
  • Armed Criminal Action
  • Assault on a Special Victim
  • Unlawful Use of a Weapon
  • Burglary
  • Bartlett is facing the following in the city of Joplin:
  • Kidnapping – 2nd Degree
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Armed Criminal Action

A no bond warrant was issued for Bartlett and he remains in custody in the Joplin City Jail.

What occurred between the Friday evening shooting and the early Saturday morning arrest is stated in a media release from the Joplin Police Dept.

Early Saturday morning, Dec. 4, 2021 officers responded to the area of 8th and Sergeant Ave for a report of unknown trouble. While on scene officers learned an adult male victim may have been unwillingly forced to leave with a suspect who was driving a Honda sedan.

Through investigation it was later learned that the victim was in the backseat of the vehicle and was being held at gunpoint by the suspect. The suspect also took the victims cell phone and refused to allow the victim to exit the vehicle as it fled the area. Officers located the suspect vehicle near 7th and Central City Road a short time later.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but it fled.

The victim was left at 7th and Central City Road and was contacted and found to be unharmed. Officers continued the pursuit of the suspect vehicle, which came to a stop near 7th and Highland Avenue. The driver fled on foot, but was apprehended by officers shortly thereafter and taken into custody. Inside the vehicle officers located a 20 gauge shotgun.

CAPT WILLIAM DAVIS, JOPLIN POLICE PIO

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