A 6-year-old Cole County boy released Monday from a mental health facility is believed to have shot and killed his grandfather Friday afternoon, Cole County Sheriff John Hemeyer said Saturday.
James Zbinden, 59, was found dead at his home, 2215 Ridge Rd., shortly after 2:30 p.m. Friday, Hemeyer said.
Zbinden's grandson, who has not been identified, apparently shot Zbinden with a .22 caliber rifle.
"We believe, at this time, that he killed his grandfather intentionally," Hemeyer said.
An autopsy performed Saturday morning in Boone County revealed Zbinden bled to death after suffering a single gunshot wound near his armpit, Hemeyer said.
Zbinden and the boy were the only two people at the residence when the shooting occurred.
After the shooting, the boy went into the street and flagged down a neighbor who was driving by, Hemeyer said. The boy told the neighbor he needed help and that his grandfather was dead.
The neighbor called 911, Hemeyer said, and was asked to look inside the residence to see what was happening. When the neighbor approached the house, the boy said: "I'll go get the gun."
Hemeyer said it appears the boy found the gun in a closet at the residence. According to Hemeyer, family members thought the gun had been disposed of years ago and they were unaware the weapon was in the home.
Hemeyer said the boy has a history of mental problems and has attacked family members, including younger siblings and his parents, in the past. He also said the boy has used knives during previous attacks.
Hemeyer said the boy was released Monday from a central Missouri mental health facility. He had been admitted for treatment there following an attack on another family member, Hemeyer added.
After being taken into juvenile custody Friday afternoon, the boy gave statements indicating he was responsible Zbinden's death, Hemeyer said.
However, Hemeyer said it's unclear what precipitated the attack. "This is a kid who has attacked family members before with no provocation," Hemeyer said, noting that interviews were stopped by the boy's legal counsel.
"I think it's important we determine 100 percent that this is what happened. Unfortunately, we can't do that without information from the boy himself."
The boy currently is being evaluated at an undisclosed mental health facility.
Hemeyer said the boy's case will be dealt with by juvenile courts.
Juvenile "punishment does not exist in Missouri," Hemeyer said. "There are treatment modalities. Everything is set up for the welfare of the child. Certainly, this is one of those instances we have an extremely disturbed child who needs help badly."