For further information please contact: Sergeant Dan Green
(816) 622-0800
A110702
November 26, 2007

EMPHASIS: Officer Involved Shooting In Saline County


On November 24, 2007, at approximately 9:59 a.m., the Saline County Sheriff’s Department and a Missouri State Highway Patrolman responded to a residence on Route K north of Houstonia, Missouri, where a subject later identified as Dennis R. Mullins, 27, of Sweet Springs, Missouri, had reportedly become violent and uncooperative. Officers were contacted by the complainant, who was also the owner of the house, who stated Mullins was upstairs in the residence acting erratically and firing a gun. Saline County Deputies identified themselves and began negotiating with Mullins who refused to cooperate and made threats to the officers, including pointing a gun at one of the officers. The officers withdrew and the sound of a single gunshot came from the room. Officers took up positions at the bottom of the stairs and requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop A Special Weapons And Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team respond to assist with the situation.
At approximately 1:17 p.m., a MSHP S.W.A.T. negotiator contacted Mullins and was talking to him when the sound of a gunshot came from the room. Patrol S.W.A.T. members entered the room and Mullins pointed a weapon at the officers. A Patrol S.W.A.T. officer, fearing for his life and the lives of other S.W.A.T. members, shot at and struck Mullins. Mullins was transported to Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is conducting the investigation.

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