Paul Hughes, UCM Athletics
Paul Hughes, a cornerback for the Central Missouri football team, was shot in the stomach and leg Sunday morning outside a bar in Knob Noster, MO. Hughes was seriously injured when he was shot in the parking lot of the Do Drop Inn, on U.S. 50 in Knob Noster. He was transported via helicopter to Research Medical Center in Kansas City.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department reported Hughes was apparently standing between two vehicles in the parking lot when shots were fired at him. The investigation continues and no arrests have been made. Hughes is a sophomore and is from Hazelwood East High School in St. Louis
Jeff Murphy, Associate Director of Media Relations for Central Missouri released the following statement.
Jeff Murphy comments on UCM player shooting (:40)
Neither Murphy or the University could comment on the player’s condition at this time. Also, in a separate incident, there was a shooting that involved another UCM student just off campus at a party. The Johnson County prosecutor charged Joseph R. Somerville, 18, of Warrensburg in that shooting. Somerville was charged with felony assault in the 2nd degree, felony armed criminal action and receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor. His bond was set at $25,000.
Here is Central Missouri’s official statement on the shootings:
Two University of Central Missouri students were injured in separate shooting incidents that occurred in Warrensburg and Knob Noster early Sunday morning, Oct. 30.
One of the students was transported by helicopter to Research Medical Center in Kansas City after sustaining gunshot wounds to the abdomen and to his leg during an incident that occurred in the parking lot at the Do Drop Inn, located on the north side of Highway 50 in Knob Noster. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department responded to the incident, which occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. The student was apparently standing between two vehicles on the parking lot when shots were fired at him. An investigation is continuing, but no arrests have yet been made.
The second incident occurred at a parking lot at a private residence on West South Street. The incident was reported to the Warrensburg Police Department shortly after 2:30 a.m. One male suspect has been arrested and is currently in custody. The victim was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg and released early this morning from Western Missouri Medical Center. The Warrensburg Police Department is seeking criminal charges against the suspect.
The university community continues to keep these students and their families in their thoughts and prayers.