Harrison Keegan

HKEEGAN@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Police say they took a man into custody following a fatal shooting Saturday night in west Springfield, but the suspect walked out of jail less than 24 hours later.

Prosecutors did not file charges Sunday in part, they say, because they are considering whether the shooting suspect is protected by the Castle Doctrine — a Missouri law that allows property owners or renters to use deadly force at their home in self-defense.

Jacob Merriman, 28, of Springfield, was shot to death Saturday at about 6:45 p.m. in the front yard of a home at 839 S. West Ave., according to a news release from the Springfield Police Department.

Police said a suspect, Trevor Brandt, 24, of Springfield, was taken into custody at the scene.

Brandt was listed on the Greene County Jail roster Sunday morning, but by 4 p.m. he had been released.

Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson told the News-Leader his office did not file charges in the initial 24-hour period in which a suspect can be held because of "the issues presented in this case, including but not limited to the application of the Castle Doctrine."

Patterson said his office will wait until police submit the entire investigation for review before making a decision about criminal charges.

Lt. Mike Lucas with Springfield police said Saturday’s encounter started as an argument between neighbors. Lucas said eventually one of the neighbors drew a firearm and killed the other man with one shot to the chest.

Much of the circumstances surrounding the brandishing and firing of the gun appear to still be under investigation.

Neighbors told the News-Leader on Sunday they are still wondering what exactly happened in front of the cluttered porch at the corner of West Avenue and Page Street.

Bill Thompson lives a few houses away from where the shooting occurred. He said he didn't know anything was happening until blue police lights started flooding into his living room on Saturday night.

Thompson said police and animal control have been called to the house on the corner a few times over the past year, but he was surprised to hear that a homicide had occurred.

Thompson said he still believes the neighborhood is safe, and he takes comfort in knowing that it wasn't a random act.

"It can happen in any neighborhood," Thompson said. "It just depends on who moves in."

Chuck Merrill II oversees the Ball Park Tavern, a bar less than a block north of where the shooting occurred.

Merrill said when he arrived at the bar at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, crime scene tape was blocking West Avenue as officers conducted their investigation.

"It's a shame that people are going to do that to each other, especially neighbors," Merrill said. "Normally it is pretty peaceful around here."

In May, Springfield police investigated a murder-suicide at a home just around the corner from the bar on Madison Street, but Merrill said he still considers it a good, tight-knit neighborhood.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about Saturday evening's shooting to call the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-8477.