Probable cause: Joplin man shot and killed his daughter after she threw bottle at him during argument

 

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office has filed first degree murder charges against a Joplin man who allegedly shot and killed his 17-year-old daughter following an argument.

Todd John Mayes, 59, is also charged with armed criminal action. 

The crimes are described in the probable cause statement:

Todd John Mayes committed the crimes of Murder in the First Degree and Armed Criminal Action on 01/09/2022, at 310 South Connor Avenue Joplin Jasper County Missouri. 

On the above date, Mayes and his seventeen-year-old biological daughter (P.N.) were in a verbal argument on the second floor of their residence located at the above address. 

During the argument, P.N. picked up a glass alcohol bottle and threw it at Mayes. Mayes walked downstairs while P.N. stayed upstairs. While downstairs Mayes retrieved his Taurus 9mm Model PT111 handgun (serial number TYJ43689) from the desk drawer located in his bedroom. 

After retrieving the handgun, Mayes went back toward the stairs to confront P.N. While walking up the stairs, Mays contacted P.N. who was walking down the stairs. Mayes extended the handgun from behind his back and shot P.N. in the abdomen. 

Mayes did not attempt to render aid. Mayes then returned his handgun to the desk drawer. 

Medical staff stated P.N. suffered a single gunshot to the abdomen. The bullet traveled through a major artery which caused substantial bleeding. After being transported to a local hospital, P.N. died as a direct result of the gunshot wound.