Missouri woman charged in killing of sleeping boyfriend

HILLSBORO, Mo. (AP) - Authorities say an eastern Missouri woman who is charged with fatally shooting her sleeping boyfriend told investigators that an intruder was to blame.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 48-year-old Laurel Leeker was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Investigators say she fatally shot 49-year-old Steven Pettit several times on Thursday in the Mapaville area, south of St. Louis.

A detective wrote in the probable cause statement that Leeker said she was in the bathroom when Pettit was killed. Detectives found no evidence of a break-in at the home.

An online obituary describes Pettit as a Navy veteran who operated a Jefferson County gun shop.

Bond for Leeker is set at $150,000 cash. No attorney is listed for Leeker in online court records.