Joplin man sentenced to life in prison for murdering his son's girlfriend

A Joplin man was sentenced to life in prison today for the June 17, 2019 murder of Sarah Tyminski, his son's girlfriend.

Rickey Lamb, 62, pleaded guilty in McDonald County Circuit Court in Pineville. Lamb's case was moved to McDonald County on a change of venue from Newton County.

Today was the two-year anniversary of the murder.

Lamb's crime was described in the 2019 probable cause statement:

Rickey Lamb stated he went to Christopher Lamb's house to scare him so he would not keep the children. (He) stated he knew Christopher Lamb had a single shot shotgun so he took his 30-06 rifle with him for protection.

Rickey Lamb stated when he pulled into the driveway, Christopher Lamb knelt down behind a tree and fired (his) shotgun at him. Rickey Lamb stated he then grabbed his rifle and shot (his son).

(He) stated Christopher Lamb dropped the shotgun. Sarah Tyminski tried to pick the shotgun up and Rickey Lamb shot her. (He) stated Christopher Lamb fired the shotgun again at (him), hitting him in the left shoulder. Rickey Lamb then drove home.

Teresa Brown, who lives with Christopher Lamb and Sarah Tyminski, was inside the house when the crime occurred. (She) stated she was in the house and heard Christopher Lamb on the phone arguing with his father about the kids. (She) stated when Rickey Lamb pulled up the house, (he) started shooting.

(She) stated Christopher Lamb got his gun and shot at Rickey Lamb after Rickey had already shot Christopher and Sarah.

Sarah Tyminski was found in the front yard with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the hand and the side of her abdomen. (She) was pronounced dead at the scene.