On 9/28/24, at approximately 11:20pm, Bates County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a male subject who stated he had just shot his dad, who had adopted him, and fled the scene on foot. The subject initially was not able to give his location to the dispatcher. The male subject was able to give the dispatcher the location of the shooting incident on 8th Street in the City of Adrian.
Officers from Adrian Police Department, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office, and Troopers from the Missouri Highway Patrol responded to the scene. Officers were on scene with 2 minutes of the call. During that time dispatch was able to ascertain the location of the male shooter. Again within 2 minutes, the shooter was taken into custody one block away from the shooting scene.
First Responders and Bates County EMS were called to the scene. Prior to their arrival the victim, identified as 41 year old John McMurphy, was pronounced deceased.
The shooter was identified as Carter Joshua Curtis, 12/08/2005. Curtis and McMurphy both lived in the residence in Adrian.
Curtis has been charged with First Degree Homicide and Armed Criminal Action by the Bates County Prosecutor.
Curtis is being held in the Bates County Jail on a no-bond warrant.
The case is being investigated by the Adrian Police Department and the Bates County Coroner’s Office with assistance by Bates County Sheriff’s Office.
Police Chief Chris Dillon said “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.”
Photo and information from Bates County Sheriff’s Office.
