Fair Board says No Danger at County Fair

Hours after a Sturgeon Police officer shot a man involved in a domestic dispute, the Boone County Fair Board is issuing a press release saying the Fair is a safe place for Boone Countians to be this week.

A 35-year-old domestic violence suspect, armed with what appeared to be a handgun, was shot by an unidentified Sturgeon police officer shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday morning.

Sturgeon police and Boone County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from a 36-year-old Sturgeon woman in the 500 block of E. Patton Street that the suspect was intoxicated and assaulted her. Before deputies arrived, the Sturgeon police officer encountered the suspect outside the residence. The suspect was shot once in the abdomen after pointing the supposed handgun in a threatening manner at the officer.

The suspect’s weapon turned out to be a BB pistol that is a replica of a firearm. The victim’s condition is unknown as of Thursday afternoon.

Although the suspect was shot just one-half mile from the Sturgeon fairgrounds, where the Boone County Fair is being held this week, the Fair Board’s Jeff Cook said the safety of fairgoers “is the single most important priority during the Boone County Fair.”

“This unfortunate and isolated incident occurred well after closing time of the fair and some distance from the fair grounds,” Cook’s press release stated. “At no time were fairgoers, vendors, staff or the fairgrounds itself in danger.”

Cook emphasized that the Fair works closely with the public safety community, including the Sturgeon Police Department, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, the Boone County Fire Protection District and Boone Hospital Ambulance Service to ensure public safety.

“The Boone County Fair remains committed to safety and well-being of all those who attend this family-oriented community celebration,” Cook added.