ODESSA, Mo. — A Bates City man was charged on Tuesday in connection to a homicide in Odessa, Mo., last Thursday.
Ryan Beamgard, 30, was charged in Lafayette County with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree assault, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of stealing a motor vehicle.
According to court documents, officers were dispatched to a home in Odessa around 2:03 a.m., upon reports that two people had been shot.
Documents say one of the victims reported a white male who was dressed in all black clothing broke into the home through a front window. That victim also said that the suspect, Beamgard, fired a shot at him and fired another shot the other victim. The second victim was hit in the chest.
Court documents say the victim who was not hit in the chest tried to wrestle Beamgard to the ground, but Beamgard hit him in the head and fled the area.
The victim who was hit in the chest was pronounced dead at the scene.
Soon after the shooting, a car was stolen from a BP gas station just a few blocks from the crime scene.
Court documents say Independence police later spotted a vehicle matching the stolen vehicle’s description and attempted to stop it. The driver failed to stop so police took pursuit. When the vehicle came to a stop at home in Independence, a man and woman fled. According to the charging document, police found a bag inside of the vehicle with a toothbrush holder bearing the name “Ryan B” and .38 caliber ammunition that is consistent with the gun that was discovered at the shooting scene in Odessa.
Police later took Beamgard and the woman into custody after conducting a search of the area.
According to the probable cause statement, Beamgard’s clothing was collected for evidence after officers noticed his shorts and sandals had blood on them.
Beamgard did not want to provide any comment upon his arrest, police say.
Beamgard is expected to appear in court on May 25. His bond has been set at $500,000.