Hannibal man facing second-degree murder charges claims man he shot had threatened to ‘stomp his face in’

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A Hannibal man faces charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action after allegedly shooting a Hannibal man Saturday night, according to a probable cause statement from the Hannibal Police Department.

A warrant was issued on Saturday for Justin Sims, 32, after Anthony Migel Miller, 24, was found in the alley west of Rookies Sports Bar, 611 Broadway, by the Hannibal Police Department with a gunshot wound in the chest. HPD officers responded to multiple calls reporting shots fired at 12:17 a.m. Miller was pronounced dead on the scene.

The probable cause statement reported Sims flagged down officers and told them he shot Miller and he was arrested without incident.

Sims provided a statement to the Hannibal Police Department that Miller aggressively came at him and followed him into Rookies Bar, “pushing past several people to get to him.” Sims said in his statement that he fell on the ground, and Miller continued to “come at him aggressively” threatening to “stomp his face in.”

According to the probable cause statement, Sims said he pulled a gun out of his pants pocket and fired one round at Miller, who then ran out the back door of the bar.

Sims said Miller had allegedly “come at him aggressively” four days prior to the incident when they argued over a loud exhaust, but there were no issues with Miller before that.

Sims also stated there was no physical contact made by either party before he fired his gun during the incident Saturday night. 

“Justin … stated he was just afraid (Miller) was going to harm him based on his aggressive actions and statements,” the probable cause statement read.

Sims also stated he had consumed one beer and one mixed drink but was not intoxicated at the time of the shooting.

Four witnesses were also interviewed, according to the probable cause statement. 

One witness reported Sims and Miller got into an argument and had to be separated. The witness said Miller was later seen aggressively coming at Sims, and Miller was running toward Sims when the gunshot was heard.

A second witness reported to be at Rookies said Sims and Miller “had words” with each other after a comment Sims made angered Miller. The witness reported Miller then left the bar and walked toward the Mississippi River, then claimed to have heard Sims say that if Miller returned to the bar he would shoot him. The witness said when Miller returned to the bar, he charged at Sims, who ended up on the floor with Miller over top of him — but the men never struck each other.

A third witness reported seeing two men fighting when entering the bar. The witness reported two males were rolling around on the floor, and he heard a loud pop before the male in the gray hoodie ran out the back door.

A fourth witness reported seeing Sims fighting another male. The witness reported hearing a pop.

Sims is in the Marion County Jail with no bond.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story referred to an unrelated incident, which has now been updated to reflect that. We apologize for any inconvenience.