Four are arrested after feud boils over

SIKESTON - Four Sikeston residents are in custody after an ongoing feud between two families erupted into a series of violent incidents.

Department of Public Safety officials said while they have information leading them to believe the fued goes back about six months, this recent series of events began at about 8 p.m. Tuesday when Maurice Robinson was shot in the abdominal area while on the 400 block of Branum Street.

Robinson was treated at Missouri Delta Medical Center for his wounds and is expected to make a full recovery.

Later that evening at approximately 11:55 p.m. in what DPS officials believe was retaliation, shots were fired into a home at 631 Branum. Approximately eight rounds struck the residence. "No one was hit," said Lt. Mark Crocker of the Sikeston DPS.

Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officials and the State Fire Marshall joined the investigation when residents of 843 William Street returned to their home at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to find two Molotov cocktails had been lobbed into the structure.

Officials reported no injuries as the residents had left the residence as a precaution against an attack.

The explosive devices were reportedly ineffective for the most part, resulting in only minor damage.

The violence continued Wednesday at 807 Delmar where DPS officers responded to a report of 30 shots fired. Investigators found approximately 20 hits on the residence from what they believe were handguns.

Minutes later, four subjects from one of the feuding families matching the description of shooters were apprehended about three blocks away on the 400 block of Dorothy Street.

Names are being withheld pending the filing of formal charges.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sikeston Department of Public Safety at 471-1500.