On 1/8/2021 at approximately 10:40am the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a domestic disturbance occurring at the intersection of 4th and Clinton Street in Rockville Missouri. The caller stated that a man and woman was fighting and that he had produced a gun and they thought the female was being taken hostage. The female was able to leave and as she was leaving the male subject exited the house and began shooting at her vehicle. He continued to chase her car on foot as she drove away.
Deputies responded and activated the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team that also included Hostage Negotiators. This activation requires additional deputies to be called out from home. Because of the nature of the call assistance was requested from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. Both agencies sent multiple officers to help.
On arrival of responding Deputies two male subjects were taken into custody without incident. After the investigation determined that one of the males was not involved he was released from the scene. At approximately 4:00pm the Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant of the residence to collect evidence involving this incident. Additionally two stolen vehicles were recovered during the search warrant. One vehicle was stolen from Vernon County and the other from ElDorado Springs. Information collected during the search warrant was given to Cedar County in reference to another probable stolen vehicle in their county.
At approximately 1030pm Prosecutor Jenkins charged Richard R Harper Jr., 7/4/69, with 1 count of Domestic Assault, 2 counts of 1st Degree Assault, 1 count of unlawful use of a firearm, 1 count of armed criminal action. Additional charges may be filed next week after a case review. Bond was set at $250,000.00 cash or surety by the Honorable Judge Julie Highly. 
Mr. Harper has an extensive criminal history with multiple felony convictions. Harper is currently out of the Department of Corrections on supervised probation for possession of a control substance.
“Harper is another example of a career criminal that has been released to the streets of Missouri before completing his sentence.” Says Sheriff Anderson. “Today I’m proud of the multi-agency response and cooperation to end this violent incident peacefully.”
