HILLSBORO, Mo. — A 65-year-old man faces serious charges after allegedly shooting a woman during a dispute over her barking dog. Frank Forshee, a resident of Hillsboro, fled into nearby woods following the incident on May 3 but ultimately surrendered to authorities after negotiators made contact by cellphone.
Forshee has been charged with first-degree domestic assault causing serious physical injury, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The case has garnered attention due to its violent turn from what began as a domestic argument. The disturbance allegedly escalated when Forshee grew agitated over the dog’s incessant barking, leading to the woman’s injury and prompting a multiple-hour manhunt by law enforcement.
According to investigators, the shooting occurred at Forshee’s home on Klondike Road, situated approximately 40 miles southwest of St. Louis. Reports indicate that Forshee lived at the residence along with the woman and another male individual. The argument reportedly started in a combined living room and bedroom area, where Forshee’s temper flared as concerns about the dog’s noise emerged.
Sheriff Dave Marshak detailed that Forshee’s behavior had raised alarms in recent days. Witnesses described him as acting erratically, possibly due to drug use, and noted that he had previously threatened the woman with a firearm. On the day of the shooting, he allegedly brandished a knife before retrieving a .22-caliber revolver and firing a single shot that struck the woman in the abdomen as she lay on her bed with her dog.
The bullet entered her right abdomen and exited through her left calf. After the shooting, the woman managed to escape the home with the help of the other male resident and called for emergency assistance. Local reports indicated she was hospitalized but has since been released.
Following the incident, Forshee fled into a wooded area behind the property, prompting a significant search operation involving deputies, detectives, and SWAT team members. Investigators learned that he had communicated with a family member, indicating suicidal thoughts and a refusal to face incarceration. Ultimately, negotiators engaged him via phone, leading to a dialogue that encouraged Forshee to surrender voluntarily, which he did without further incident on May 4.
Once in custody, Forshee underwent a medical procedure unrelated to the shooting before being booked into Jefferson County Jail on May 7. He is currently held without bond. While he has been formally charged, specific details regarding his court appearance or potential legal counsel remain unclear.
The home’s rural location complicated the search efforts, as officers had to navigate wooded terrain in addition to the residence itself. The sheriff’s office expressed appreciation for the swift and coordinated response of their personnel in managing the situation, while prosecutors promptly filed charges against Forshee.
Several aspects of the case are still under investigation, including the status of the dog involved and additional details surrounding Forshee’s possession of a firearm. Investigators have not yet disclosed the content of the 911 call or provide the full context of negotiations with Forshee leading up to his surrender. The next significant development is anticipated in court, where Forshee will have the opportunity to respond to the charges against him while remaining held at the Jefferson County Jail.