Kennett Shooting Update: Keonne Chaplin Charged with Assault, Others at Large

Accident – Death – Obituary News : KENNETT, Mo. (KFVS) – Five individuals are now facing charges in connection with a shooting that took place at a convenience store and gas station in Kennett. The incident occurred at The Store #2 on Thursday, November 30, at around 3 p.m. Fortunately, only one person was injured and has since been released from the hospital.

According to a release from Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas D. Jain, the five individuals facing charges are 19-year-old Keonne Chaplin from Malden, 25-year-old Herman Pounds from Kennett, 31-year-old Tanya Summers from Kennett, 35-year-old Eric Thomas from Clarkton, and 40-year-old Jamison Taylor, also from Kennett. The charges against them vary and are related to their involvement in the shooting.

Chaplin, who is currently in custody at the Dunklin County Jail, is facing charges that include two counts of assault in the first degree, two counts of armed criminal action, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and tampering with physical evidence. Pounds, who is also in custody, is charged with hindering prosecution of a felony and tampering with physical evidence.

On the other hand, Summers, Thomas, and Taylor are still at large. Initially, they were identified as persons of interest in the investigation. Summers is charged with hindering prosecution, Thomas is facing two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and Taylor is charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have information regarding the whereabouts of Summers, Thomas, or Taylor to contact the Kennett Police Department at 573-888-4622 or their local law enforcement agency.

According to Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas D. Jain, surveillance footage from the store revealed that Chaplin fired shots from inside the store towards Taylor and Thomas in the parking lot. In response, Taylor and Thomas reportedly fired back at Chaplin as they exited the store.

Regrettably, one of the bullets fired by Chaplin struck a victim. Court documents reveal that Chaplin was shooting from behind a parked car at a gas pump, causing one of the bullets to pass through the back glass of the car and hit a passenger in the head.

After the shooting, Chaplin, Pounds, and the victim fled the scene in a car but were later apprehended by law enforcement officers. It was during this encounter that Chaplin and Pounds were taken into custody.

During an interview with the police, Chaplin allegedly admitted that the shooting was a result of a previous altercation with someone inside the store. He claimed that heated words and verbal threats were exchanged, leading him to believe that shots would be fired.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to locate and apprehend the remaining suspects..