Man arrested in connection with shooting in northern Boone County home

COLUMBIA — A northern Boone County man was arrested on suspicion of first degree assault and armed criminal action among other charges after deputies from the Boone County Sheriff's Department responded to a call Friday night reporting shots fired at a home in the 2500 block of Highway NN West.

Deputies who arrived at the scene at about 11:50 p.m. found five people at the residence, one of whom had a gunshot wound on his upper leg from a shotgun, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Department. He was taken to University Hospital by helicopter with nonlife threatening injuries and was undergoing surgery Saturday, according to the release.

Maj. Tom Reddin of the Sheriff's Department said the name of the wounded man was not being released as of Saturday night because that is standard procedure for cases such as this.

The others at the residence told deputies that the injured man was visiting for a small party, during which an argument began that turned into a physical fight, according to the release. The resident of the home, Patrick Baker, 42, brought out a shotgun, and Baker and the man struggled over the shotgun before the man was wounded by one shot to the thigh, according to the release.

Baker was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of a weapon and unlawful use of a weapon in addition to first degree assault and armed criminal action, in addition to an outstanding warrant for failure to appear.

Baker's bond had not been set as of Saturday morning.