Giacomo Bologna

Springfield News-Leader

An 18-year-old used an AR-15 rifle in a drive-by shooting Monday morning following a dispute over money, Springfield police say.

Shaine Burris allegedly shot Dagen Whitt in the front yard of Whitt's home on the corner of East Atlantic Street and North Jefferson Avenue, then fled in a silver SUV.

Police say Whitt was shot in the leg and suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The incident is described in a probable cause statement filed by police, which said Whitt was seen walking around his front lawn with a sword prior to the shooting.

Whitt's brother allegedly told investigators he heard two to three gunshots, then looked outside to see someone firing more rounds out of a moving SUV.

Police responded to the scene, the statement said, and found Whitt lying on the front lawn.

According to the statement, Whitt said Burris had shot him.

Burris is familiar to police, the statement said, and officers went to his home in the 1400 block of East Florida Street.

Burris initially ran when he saw police, but was arrested without incident, the statement said.

Burris's silver Ford Escape was parked nearby, the statement said, and inside officers found a handgun.

That handgun apparently was not used in the shooting.

According to the statement, a gold Honda was parked near the SUV and an AR-15 was lying in plain view on the floorboard.

Rounds in the AR-15 matched a round found inside the SUV, the statement said, and Burris later told investigators he fired the AR-15 that morning.

Burris allegedly said he suspected Whitt had stolen a large amount of money from him.

Court records show Burris has been charged with first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon and is being held on a $75,000 bond.

Burris's mugshot shows him wearing a shirt covered with images of what appears to be marijuana.

At least six police cars were at the scene of the shooting Monday as officers looked for evidence and spoke with witnesses.

Nadia Bruce, 22, and her brother Jeffery Bruce, 20, were watching TV in her home down the street when they said they heard three gunshots.

They said they came outside to see what was going on and heard more gunshots and saw a car speeding down the road.

Nadia Bruce said there are a "bunch of crazies" who live on the street.

"But shootings? That's a first," she said.

Gary Glisan, 23, was a street over working on his dirt bike when he said he also heard three gunshots.

Glisan said there was a pause, then more loud pops.

"I can't believe it," he said. "It's usually a nice, quiet neighborhood."