Cape Girardeau man faces assault, armed criminal action charges

Holmes charged with felonies after firing shots in Sikeston

SIKESTON -- A Cape Girardeau man faces charges after he and two teens were arrested for firing shots last week in Sikeston.

Ralph Holmes, 19, of Cape Girardeau is charged with attempting to assault a law enforcement officer (B felony), armed criminal action and resisting arrest by fleeing (D felony).

At 1:22 a.m. Aug. 16 officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety were dispatched to the area of Malcolm and Murray Lane in reference to gunshots. A suspect vehicle description was called in, and officers quickly located this vehicle near Malcolm and William Street, according to Capt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for Sikeston DPS.

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, a vehicle pursuit began, McMillen said.

"One officer was nearly struck in his car by the fleeing driver. As officers pursued, they could see what looked like firearms being thrown out of the windows of the suspect vehicle," McMillen said.

The weapons would later be recovered by other officers not involved in the pursuit.

"The two officers pursued the suspects northeast from this area, and the suspect vehicle finally came to a stop near Main and Tanner streets," McMillen said. "When the suspect vehicle stopped, the front passenger fled on foot, running toward Lake and North Main streets but was taken into custody shortly after. The pursuing officers positioned their vehicle against the driver's side doors so they were unable to flee and the suspects were taken into custody at their vehicle."

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Holmes, and two of the other suspects were 15 years old and from Cape Girardeau.

McMillen said the shooting was believed to have been directed at a home in the 500 block of Malcolm Street.

"Apparently there was a birthday party at this address, and a disturbance broke out. The fist-fight eventually broke up and some shots rang out as several people were leaving the home," McMillen said.

After the pursuit, detectives returned to the area where the occupants allegedly threw items out their car. Investigators found three handguns along the pursuit route where officers witnessed items being thrown, according to McMillen. Additionally, a home owner on Dempster Street reported his house was struck by gunfire during the shooting at the party. Not only did officers locate the weapons, but they also recovered weapon lights and laser weapon sights, McMillen said.

Holmes was given a $25,000 cash or surety bond and later transported to the Scott County Jail. The two juveniles were later transported to the Mississippi County Detention Center for holding.

For this story and more, see the Wednesday edition of the Standard Democrat.