Parole absconder charged with robbery in shooting case

Patrick Evans, 37, who was released from prison two weeks ago, was found hiding in a small room in an upstairs apartment at 611 E. Capitol Ave. just after 7 a.m. Wednesday, more than 8 hours after the shooting incident downstairs at the same address, according to police reports.

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"Officers were ready to re-canvass the area as daylight broke when they found a new blood trail which led to the apartment," said Capt. Mike Smith of the Jefferson City Police Department. "A female resident, we believe, helped hide him."

Late Wednesday afternoon, the Cole County prosecutor charged Evans with first-degree robbery. The charges say Evans also is known as Patrick Harris.

Prosecutors also charged Brenda Ellen Oakley, 42, with hindering prosecution.

Oakley has been working as a cook at Algoa Correctional Center for several years. The Missouri Department of Correction's investigative unit is working with local authorities in their investigation.

Evans suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand.

The man Evans is believed to have shot, a 34-year-old Jefferson City resident, underwent minor surgery Wednesday morning at University Hospital in Columbia. He was shot three times with a revolver, and his wounds were to his hands and shoulder.

His name was not immediately being released.

According to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement, the robbery occurred around 10:22 p.m.

Police believe Evans approached a group of individuals outside the Capitol Avenue residence, brandishing a gun. He then ordered the group to go inside the residence and lie on the floor. He then began taking items from the victims. Evans ordered one of the victims to collect everyone's possessions.

While this was going on, one of the victims confronted Evans with a .45-caliber gun. The victim fired at Evans to defend himself and the other victims.

Evans admitted to the robbery in an interview with police, the statement said. He also indicated Oakley helped him with his injuries and allowed him to stay in her apartment to conceal him from authorities.

A search warrant of Oakley's apartment revealed a black, hooded sweatshirt, with the dragon design worn by Evans during the robbery, in a washing machine and a snub-nosed revolver hidden under Oakley's bed.

When questioned by authorities, Oakley denied knowledge of the robbery.

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Earlier Coverage

UPDATE FILED AT 10:04 A.M. : A parole absconder from St. Louis, who had just gotten out of prison two weeks ago, is believed to have shot another man during what appears to have been a robbery late Tuesday night.

Just after 7 a.m. today (Wednesday), Jefferson City police found Patrick Evans, 37, hiding in a small room in an upstairs apartment at 611 E. Capitol Ave., which is above where the shooting incident occurred more than eight hours earlier.

"Officers were ready to re-canvass the area as daylight broke when they found a new blood trail which led to the apartment," said Capt. Mike Smith. "A female resident, we believe, helped hide him."

Formal charges are being sought against Evans, who was being treated for a gunshot wound to his left hand.

The man Evans is believed to have shot, a 34 year-old Jefferson City resident, was undergoing minor surgery Wednesday morning at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia. He was shot three times with a revolver and his wounds were to his hands and shoulder. His name was not being released pending notification of relatives.

Police reports indicate the incident started just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

When officers got there, they were told a man wearing a black hoodie or possibly a scarf had approached a group of individuals at the Capitol Avenue residence, brandishing a gun.

The suspect ordered the group to go into the residence and ordered them onto the floor and began to take items from the victims.

As this was going on, apparently one of the victims, armed with a .45 caliber gun, got into an exchange of gunfire with the suspect.

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UPDATE 8:17 A.M. : A suspect is in custody in connection with a multiple shooting late Tuesday night at a downtown office that houses multiple attorneys' offices.

INITIAL COVERAGE FILED AT 12:15 A.M. WEDNESDAY: Jefferson City police reported they were called just before 10:30 p.m. to go to 611 East Capitol Avenue.

When they got there, police were told a black male wearing a black hoodie or possibly a scarf had approached a group of individuals at this residence, brandishing a gun.

The suspect ordered the group to go into the residence and ordered them onto the floor and began to take items from the victims.

As this was going on, apparently one of the victims was armed with a gun and got into an exchange with the suspect.

The victim, a male in his 30s, was shot multiple times, but police did not think his wounds were life-threatening. He was taken to St. Mary's Health Center and later transferred to University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.

As of midnight, police were still looking for the man who had initially tried to rob the victims.

Officers searched the area on foot, along with canine units, and did find some traces of blood.