An apparent murder-suicide late Monday night in the Missouri Bootheel left two people dead and one person critically injured, according to a report from the Caruthersville Police Department.
Just after 11 p.m. Monday, Caruthersville Police responded to the 900 block of Collins Avenue in Caruthersville in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 9-year-old child, who told officers her grandparents were dead inside the home.
Inside the home, officers found Paula Hudgings lying on the living room floor with a gunshot wound. Also discovered was the lifeless body of Paula's husband, David Hudgings, also on the living room floor, with what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Officers found Kortni Lewis, the 18-year-old daughter of Paula Hudgings, lying on the concrete under a carport next door with a bullet wound to the arm.
Based on an account from a female witness who was at the home at the time of the incident, officers said it appears that David and Paula got into an argument, when Paula asked David to leave. The witness said David then pulled out a gun and shot Paula in the back as she was standing in the doorway. The witness said David then pointed the gun at Lewis and began to shoot. David also apparently fired a round at the witness, but missed. Finally,the witness said he turned the gun on himself, fatally shooting himself.
The witness said she, the 9-year-old child and Lewis escaped the home by running next door.
David Hudgings was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pemiscot County Coroner.
Paula Hudgings was taken to the Hayti Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Lewis was taken to Hayti Hospital, and then transferred to St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, for treatment.
The juvenile was turned over to a family member.
aweld@blythevillecourier.com