Moberly man facing assault, armed criminal action charges after officer-involved shooting in Shelby County

SHELBYVILLE, Mo. — A Moberly man has been formally charged after an officer-involved shooting in Shelby County on Wednesday.

Erik A. Prange, 51, of Moberly, has been charged with four counts of assault of a special victim in the first degree, a Class A felony, and four counts of armed criminal action. Charges were filed Thursday. by Jordan Force, prosecuting attorney in Shelby County. 

If found guilty by a jury, Prange could receive a sentence of between 10 and 30 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on each of the charges of assault in the first degree. He could receive a sentence of between three and 10 years on each of the armed criminal action charges.

KMIZ-TV in Columbia reported Thursday that Prange and the officer were taken to a local hospital after Thursday night’s shootout. KMIZ reported that a Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesperson said the unidentified trooper has since been released from the hospital, and Prange’s condition has stabilized.

Deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department and officers with the Quincy Police Department responded to call on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at the McDonald’s at 48^th and Broadway regarding a report of a man trying to force a woman into his car. The driver fled and made it to I-172 South. Deputies pursued the vehicle until they reached the Mark Twain Memorial Bridge. 

Trooper Barbara Littrell with the Missouri State Highway Patrol filed a probable cause statement. She wrote that at 7:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, Troop B Communications was notified by Northeast Communications (NECOMM) of an armed and dangerous criminal suspect who fled from Illinois law enforcement officers in Quincy and was crossing the bridge into Missouri on I-72/U.S. 36. 

Prange was driving a white Dodge Ram pickup pulling a trailer and hauling a Jeep.

Two MSHP troopers traveling in the same patrol vehicle located Prange’s vehicle traveling west on U.S. 36, just west of Hannibal. They attempted to initiate a traffic stop by activating his emergency lights and siren, but Prange failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued. 

Two other MSHP troopers, travelling in separate patrol vehicles, followed and joined ln the pursuit. The Dodge Ram exited U.S. 36 at Missouri Highway 151 in Shelby County, then drove down an embankment and came to a stop. It appeared Prange partially exited the vehicle and fired one round, striking a trooper and a patrol vehicle through the driver’s side of the front windshield.

Prange then entered his vehicle, chambered a round and fired toward another patrol vehicle, striking it in the front windshield. One trooper sustained minor injuries due to being struck by bullet fragments. In response to Prange’s life-threatening actions, troopers returned fire. Prange was struck by gunfire, then was taken into custody and provided medical attention.

Prange was found to have a Ruger American bolt action rifle, 6.5mm Creedmoor Caliber.

Shelby County Judge Mike Greenwell issued a no-bond warrant for Prange’s arrest. A court date has not been set.