DESOTO, MO (KTVI - FOX2now.com) -
Jefferson County authorities believe a domestic dispute turned into a double tragedy on a nursing home parking lot Saturday afternoon. The victim was an employee leaving work when her husband approached her with a gun. He shot and killed his wife before police shot and killed him. Police have identified the man and his wife as 70 year old James Stallings and his 68-year-old wife Carolyn Stallings.
"We received a 911 call of a gunman on the parking of the Baisch Nursing Center," said Capt. Ralph Brown.
"The gunman had taken a white female who was on the parking lot as a hostage," said Brown.
Jame Stallings pointed a gun at his wife and ordered her down to the ground. An immediate lockdown went into effect for residents.
"All the drapes and blinds pulled, all the doors secured, no patients in front of the windows or doors," said Brown.
No residents were in danger but one witness did try to drive away.
"She was leaving work also then turned her vehicle around at which time he fired at least one round in the direction of her vehicle however she remained unharmed," said Brown.
That's when Stalling's wife tried to make a run away.
"He started firing a weapon at her striking her at which time the sheriff's tactical unit returned fired striking the suspect," said Brown.
Carolyn Stallings had an order of protection against her husband.
"Two to 3 days ago we did serve the suspect with an order of protection," said Brown.
Investigators are not sure what was at the center of the dispute but they are glad no one inside the nursing home was injured.
"We received a 911 call of a gunman on the parking of the Baisch Nursing Center," said Capt. Ralph Brown.
"The gunman had taken a white female who was on the parking lot as a hostage," said Brown.
Jame Stallings pointed a gun at his wife and ordered her down to the ground. An immediate lockdown went into effect for residents.
"All the drapes and blinds pulled, all the doors secured, no patients in front of the windows or doors," said Brown.
No residents were in danger but one witness did try to drive away.
"She was leaving work also then turned her vehicle around at which time he fired at least one round in the direction of her vehicle however she remained unharmed," said Brown.
That's when Stalling's wife tried to make a run away.
"He started firing a weapon at her striking her at which time the sheriff's tactical unit returned fired striking the suspect," said Brown.
Carolyn Stallings had an order of protection against her husband.
"Two to 3 days ago we did serve the suspect with an order of protection," said Brown.
Investigators are not sure what was at the center of the dispute but they are glad no one inside the nursing home was injured.
