Probable cause: Joplin man brought loaded gun to Junge Field

A Joplin man who had been drinking brought a loaded gun to Junge Field Friday night, according to a probable cause statement filed Tuesday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

A 1:30 p.m. September 21 arraignment is scheduled in Carthage for Randall J. Heath (DOB 1988), who is charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a felony.

From the probable cause statement:

On 9/4/2026 at 2116 hours, I, Officer Bentz was dispatched to 508 W. Junge Blvd. in reference to an unlawful use of a weapon.

Upon arrival at the above address, I was informed by Officer Shindorf, a Joplin School Resource Officer, that Heath Randall was detained for carrying a loaded firearm onto Joplin city school property.

Mr. Randall was disarmed by Officer Shindorf and placed inside his vehicle until my arrival.

Joshua Carter, a Joplin city school staff who witnessed Mr. Randall concealing a firearm in his waist alerted Officer Shindorf on his observation.

Mr. Randall had a Taurus PT 111 G2 (S/N TKS49153) 9mm handgun tucked in his front waistline with a 12-round magazine inserted. Officer Shindorf advised that Mr. Randall did not have a round in the chamber and that Mr. Randall had "had a couple of shooters" due to the odor of intoxicant emanating from him. The magazine contained (10) 9mm Luger rounds and Mr. Randall had a right hand holster that was used to carry the firearm.

Mr. Randall committed the offense of unlawful use of a firearm. By carrying a fireaerm, whether loaded or unloaded, or any other weapon readily capable of lethal use into any school, onto any school bus or onto the premises of any function or activity sponsored or sanctioned by school officials or the district school board.

Mr. Randall was transported to the Joplin City Jail.

The probable cause statement noted that Heath "believes he was falsely accused."