Perryville, Mo. – A tragic incident unfolded in a peaceful gated community near Perryville, leaving three dead and one critically injured after a shooting on Sunday. The serene morning was disrupted by gunfire at a home within Lake Perry neighborhood, located approximately 15 minutes west of Perryville close to Silver Lake.
Authorities were alerted to the scene around 11 a.m. following a distressing 911 call. Upon arrival, Perry County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a grim scenario: three individuals had been fatally shot and another was urgently transported to a hospital in St. Louis for treatment.
The initial investigation identified the shooter as 68-year-old Jerry Moore of Perryville, who reportedly took the lives of his 55-year-old wife, Diane Moore, and 46-year-old Allen Kennon, also of Perryville. Additionally, 54-year-old Dennis Stanfill from Barnhardt was killed before Jerry Moore turned the weapon on himself.
“This is a terrible situation,” Perryville alderman Roger Prost expressed, highlighting the rarity of such violent outbreaks in the town, especially in the typically quiet, upscale area where the Moore’s resided. “It’s shocking, nothing like that has ever occurred out there as far as I’m aware.”
Further information provided by the sheriff’s office revealed that Diane Moore had apparently returned to the residence she shared with Jerry, accompanied by Kennon and Stanfill, ostensibly to gather her personal belongings. The circumstances leading to the tragic escalation remain under detailed review by local authorities.
At the scene, law enforcement also found Dennis Stanfill’s wife, 56-year-old Terry Stanfill, who, while unharmed, was undoubtedly shaken by the traumatic events.
Eyewitnesses and neighbors described the couple as generally quiet, with no prior signs indicating a potential for such devastating violence. The community, known for its safety and tight-knit atmosphere, has been left to grapple with the shock and sorrow stemming from Sunday’s events.
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the motives behind the shooting while community leaders and residents come together to support the affected families and heal from the unexpected tragedy.
This incident marks a profound loss for the Perryville community, reflecting a disturbing instance of domestic turmoil that escalated into public tragedy, shaking the foundations of what is generally regarded as a secure and peaceful place to live.