SPRINGFIELD, Missouri (KY3) – The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office dropped several charges against a man accused in a shootout at a Springfield nightclub.
The shooting took place outside Club Rodeo in western Springfield in August. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the arm. Investigators say several shots were fired in the club’s parking lot at around 1:30 am
Dimitri Dudley, 27, faced charges of first-degree assault, armed criminal prosecution, illegal use of a weapon and illegal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors claim to have maintained an illegal gun possession count.
Prosecutors also accused Montavius Warren, 25, of resisting / interfering with the arrest in the case.
“I spoke with several of the witnesses involved, the first being the victim of the shooting, the person who was shot,” said Dudley’s lawyer, Lacon Smith.
Smith says the victim said several times that his client was not the person who fired the shots. While waiting for his preliminary hearing, Dudley was kept in prison.
“He was detained without bail originally in prison, so we managed to get the judge to at least set bail,” said Smith.
Smith said the judge later set Dudley’s bail at $ 2 million, a price he could not pay.
“He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to see his friends, family, girlfriend or son,” said Smith. “He was really concerned about never leaving because he had a previous conviction.”
The charges still stand for illegal possession of a firearm.
“He was stopped in a vehicle after the shooting at Club Rodeo, he was a passenger and a gun was found during the search,” said Smith. “He was accused of owning that gun and we are just going to settle that in court. “
Smith said that although Dudley’s name has been cleared of involvement in the shooting, he is concerned about the impact of the case on his life.
“He has been concerned about being able to find and keep a job because of that accusation, and since he is a father and has a family, he is concerned about not being able to support his family,” said Smith.
Greene County District Attorney Dan Patterson said the case is still under investigation and that further charges could be filed. He notes that investigators said there were two snipers at the scene. Anyone with information about the incident should call Springfield Police Department Detective Jacob Miller at (417) 864-1810. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (417) 869-TIPS (8477) or via a secure online website (P3tips.com).
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