Sikeston man shoots friend early Tuesday in fight over woman

SIKESTON -- A Sikeston man has been charged with shooting his friend in an argument over a woman early Tuesday.

According to Sgt. Jon Broom with Sikeston Department of Public Safety, officers were dispatched to 306 William at 4:46 a.m. Tuesday in reference to a subject bleeding from an unknown injury. The victim left just prior to the officer's arrival and went to DPS headquarters while officers were trying to locate him at the scene.

The victim was transported to Missouri Delta Medical Center for treatment. While there, officers met with him and began investigating. Medical personnel determined the victim had a gunshot entrance wound to his upper thigh and the bullet traveled completely through and exited on the inside of his leg. The victim also had several lacerations to his left palm.

Thomas D. Knighten, 29, was identified as the suspect and the victim explained the two had been friends for years. Recently the victim began dating a woman who Knighten also had been dating. Knighten found out about the relationship and was upset with him, but it did not end their friendship and the victim thought it had been resolved.

Officers discovered that Knighten contacted the victim and asked him to pick him up and give him a ride to Morehouse, Mo. The victim picked up Knighten and allowed him to drive. Knighten drove back to Sikeston and went to the 400 block of Daniel Street where he pulled over and told the victim he wanted to "fight or box," because of the issue with the woman.

The victim told Knighten he was not going to fight him and they began to argue. The victim repeatedly refused to get out of the car and Knighten pulled out a handgun. He pointed it at the victim and told him to get out of the car to fight. The victim said he began to get out of the front passenger seat and Knighten pulled the trigger and shot him.

The victim in this case is expected to make a full recovery.

Knighten is a convicted felon and prohibited in owning or possessing firearms. He is charged with first degree assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. His cash bond has been set at $75,000. He is currently being sought by DPS.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Sikeston DPS at 573-471-4711.