Cameras lead to arrest in Hannibal shooting

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal Police arrested a man last week with some help from their newly installed license plate reader cameras.
Just after 9 p.m. on Jan. 23, officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Virginia Street in reference to a firearms incident. Upon arrival officers found a window to a residence had been shot out. During the investigation, a witness reported a suspicious vehicle which had been in the area earlier the same day.
Investigators were able to take the vehicle description and use the Flock automated license plate reader system to develop leads. A potential suspect was quickly identified and after about a four-hour search, the suspect vehicle was located in the 1500 block of Booker Street.
The owner, Mitchell K. Shields, 35, was located near the vehicle and fled on foot. Shields was quickly apprehended and a firearm was located in his vehicle. On Jan. 24 a warrant was issued in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County charging Shields with Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Bond was set at $100,000 and Shields remains lodged in the Marion County Jail.
The Flock Safety system had been installed earlier on Thursday, proving vital in helping investigators develop leads, and ultimately locate the suspect.
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