Dispute With Family Triggers St. Clair Man To Fire Gun, Threaten Harm

A St. Clair man has been charged after he allegedly got into an argument with some family members and fired a gun into the air.

Ricky Walton, 33, faces charges for unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon and two counts of fourth-degree assault. Two firearms were seized during the incident.

Walton’s bond was set at $35,000.

According to St. Clair Police, the incident happened May 12 around 2 a.m. in the area of South Main and Ferdinand. 

Walton’s family picked him up from Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital and brought him to St. Clair to retrieve his vehicle.

It wouldn’t start and Walton grabbed a handgun and shot it in the air.

Walton and one of the family members got in an argument. Walton threatened to kill that person. The two family members left the area.

Police and Franklin County sheriff’s deputies set up a perimeter and began searching for Walton, who was found in a field approximately 40 yards from his vehicle.

They seized a 9mm handgun and a Russian-made SKS rifle, along with ammunition.